Background: Bacterial keratitis, one of the most challenging clinical eye infections, necessitates novel therapeutic approaches. Given the increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistance and the limitations of antibiotic use, the application of alternative compounds such as herbal essential oils has garnered significant attention. Zataria multiflora essential oil, rich in thymol and carvacrol, possesses potent antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. However, its direct application is limited due to its volatility, hydrophobicity, and potential toxicity. Therefore, considering the favorable characteristics of Nano-niozome, as ideal drug delivery systems for encapsulating hydrophobic compounds and enhancing local bioavailability.
Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of nano-vesicles containing Zataria multiflora essential oil in controlling Staphylococcus aureus-induced bacterial keratitis.
Methods: Initially, essential oil-loaded Nano-niozome were synthesized using the thin-film evaporation method in the presence of a non-ionic surfactant. Particle size, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, and formulation stability were evaluated. Thirty male Wistar rats were divided into treatment groups: a control group (no treatment), a group receiving essential oil-loaded Nano-niozome, and a group receiving ciprofloxacin. Bacterial keratitis was then induced in the cornea of one eye of each rat using Staphylococcus aureus. Therapeutic efficacy was assessed by measuring the bacterial load in corneal samples on days 4 and 8 post-infection induction.
Results: The results indicated that although the bacterial reduction induced by ciprofloxacin was greater than in other groups, no significant difference was observed between the group treated with essential oil-loaded Nano-niozome and the ciprofloxacin group.
Conclusions: This study confirms the high efficacy of Zataria multiflora essential oil-loaded Nano-niozome in treating bacterial keratitis and highlights their potential as a new generation of safer and more effective ophthalmic drugs based on natural resources and nanotechnology.