Synergistic antibacterial effects of aloe vera doped with Chitosan against Porphyromonas gingivalis as a natural periodontal inflammatory remedy

Abstract

With the rise of antibiotic resistance, there is growing interest in developing herbal treatments for periodontal inflammation. Aloe vera has attracted scientific interest for its therapeutic potential, although formulating effective herbal medicines remains a challenge. Chitosan-based nanoparticles offer a promising strategy to enhance the delivery of herbal compounds. This study investigates the combination of Aloe vera extract and chitosan nanoparticles to create a potent antibacterial agent targeting Porphyromonas gingivalis, while also assessing its toxicity on BHK-21 fibroblast cells. The antibacterial efficacy was evaluated using Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) methods, employing 80% Aloe vera and 25% chitosan nanoparticles. The combination of 80% Aloe vera extract with varying chitosan nanoparticle concentrations resulted in a greater inhibition zone than either component alone. While both agents demonstrated antibacterial activity, their effects were additive rather than synergistic. Furthermore, MTT Assay results showed that Aloe vera extract at 100% and 80% concentrations, combined with different chitosan nanoparticle formulations, was non-toxic to BHK-21 fibroblast cells.