BiopolymersSep 24, 2025

Eye Gel with Nisin-Loaded Solid Lipid Nanoparticles Designed for Improved Antibacterial Action: Lab, Tissue, and Animal Testing

mRNA Technology Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Updated Jan 7, 2026

Abstract

The NIS-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles showed a particle size of 158.8 ± 13.56 nm and improved antimicrobial potential against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Nisin, an antimicrobial peptide, has antibacterial activity against bacteria causing conjunctivitis but faces challenges in formulation due to poor solubility and stability.
Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) may enhance the solubility and bioavailability of therapeutic agents, facilitating their use in ocular treatments.
The formulated in situ ocular gel has a pH of 7.45 ± 0.02, a gelling temperature of 36.5°C ± 0.5°C, and a viscosity of 465.5 ± 6.5 cps.
Drug release from the gel was observed to be 68.65% ± 5.1% over 24 hours, indicating sustained release characteristics.
The formulation showed improved permeation of 66.43% ± 2.6%, likely due to the nanoscale dimensions of SLN and the presence of Tween 80.
In vivo tests indicated no irritation, suggesting that the gel formulation is biocompatible with the ocular region.

Simplified

Microbial ocular infections, namely bacterial conjunctivitis (BC), are a major concern in the biomedical field. Nisin (NIS) is an amphiphilic natural antimicrobial peptide. It showed antibacterial potential against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which is responsible for BC. Despite this, the application of NIS in pharmaceuticals for the treatment of ocular infections is hindered by several limitations that include poor aqueous solubility and stability. The preference for solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) shows the aptitude to enhance solubility, bioavailability, etc., of therapeutically active molecules. Therefore, the present research work intends to prepare a thermoresponsive poloxamer 407 (P-407)-based in situ ocular gel of NIS-incorporated SLN using Box Behnken Design (BBD) for improved antibacterial application. Herein, NIS-SLN was formulated with glyceryl monostearate (GMS) and Tween 80 using a HSH-probe sonication method. It resulted in the spherical shape NIS-SLN with the particle size (PS) of 158.8 ± 13.56 nm, zeta potential (ZP) of -22.48 ± 1.86 mV, and drug loading (DL) of 12.8% ± 2.84%. The formulated thermo-responsive in situ gel (ISG) pH, gelling temperature, and viscosity were found to be 7.45 ± 0.02, 36.5°C ± 0.5°C, and 465.5 ± 6.5 cps, respectively, with drug release of 68.65% ± 5.1% over 24 h. Moreover, it shows improved permeation of 66.43% ± 2.6%, which might be because of the nanoscale dimensions of SLN and Tween 80. The formulation demonstrates good stability for 3 months and improved antimicrobial potential against P. aeruginosa compared to pure NIS, possibly owing to sustained release and improved penetration of NIS. Moreover, in vivo experiments demonstrated no irritation of the gel formulation, confirming biocompatibility with the ocular region. In conclusion, the SLN incorporated thermo-responsive P-407-based in situ ocular gel provides the improved potential of NIS. In the future, it will reveal a new horizon for the delivery of NIS and other molecules for ocular disease treatment.

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Eye Gel with Nisin-Loaded Solid Lipid Nanoparticles Designed for Improved Antibacterial Action: Lab, Tissue, and Animal Testing

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