Design and Optimisation of a Biosurfactant-Synthetic Surfactant Hybrid Nanoemulgel Containing Lemon Balm and Star Anise Essential Oils: Stability, Cytotoxicity, and Antiviral Activity Against HSV-1

Ebru Altuntaş; Tuğba Kaman; Zakaria Ouzaid; Merve Yılmaz; Hasan Sercan Palancı; Mustafa Altındiş; Sibel Yavru

doi:10.26650/IstanbulJPharm.2025.1677873

Design and Optimisation of a Biosurfactant-Synthetic Surfactant Hybrid Nanoemulgel Containing Lemon Balm and Star Anise Essential Oils: Stability, Cytotoxicity, and Antiviral Activity Against HSV-1

Abstract

Background and Aims: Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is a widespread herpetic pathogen responsible for recurring mucocutaneous infections that are frequently debilitating and difficult to treat. The objective of this work was to design and study the efficiency of a biosurfactant–synthetic surfactant hybrid nanoemulgel (NEG) system with antiviral activity against HSV-1 using Melissa officinalis and Illicium verum essential oils. Methods: Nanoemulsions (NEs) were prepared through ultrasonic emulsification and stabilised using Quillaja saponaria saponins and Kolliphor® P 188. Selected NEs were mixed into xanthan gum-based gels to create NEGs. The formulations were assessed for their physicochemical properties, rheological behaviour, and stability. The CCK-8 assay was employed to evaluate the in vitro cytotoxicity on Vero cells. The antiviral activity against HSV-1 was assessed by measuring the tissue culture infectious dose 50% (TCID₅₀) values. Results: Optimized NEGs demonstrated stable nano-sized droplets, a negative zeta potential, shear-thinning rheology, and preserved structural integrity throughout a 3-month storage duration. Both test (T) and placebo (P) formulations demonstrated dose-dependent cytotoxicity; however, T exhibited marginally lower cytotoxicity across all dilutions. Antiviral studies demonstrated that T significantly decreased the HSV-1 titre by 17.78-fold at a 1/2000 dilution compared with the untreated control, whereas P resulted in only a 1.77-fold reduction, thereby confirming the role of essential oils in antiviral efficacy. Conclusion: The developed NEG incorporating essential oils from Melissa officinalis and Illicium verum demonstrated notable antiviral activity against HSV-1, along with satisfactory cytocompatibility. The results indicate its potential effectiveness as a topical antiviral treatment for managing HSV-1 infections.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Pharmaceutical Delivery Technologies

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Ebru Altuntaş ^*
0000-0003-2902-5554
Türkiye

Tuğba Kaman
0000-0002-5885-0193
Türkiye

Zakaria Ouzaid This is me
0009-0003-1160-853X
Türkiye

Merve Yılmaz This is me
0009-0006-0708-1992
Türkiye

Hasan Sercan Palancı
0000-0001-5408-9176
Türkiye

Mustafa Altındiş
0000-0003-0411-9669
Türkiye

Sibel Yavru
0000-0002-5839-364X
Türkiye

Publication Date

January 14, 2026

Submission Date

April 17, 2025

Acceptance Date

October 1, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 55 Number: 3

DOI

https://doi.org/10.26650/IstanbulJPharm.2025.1677873

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA86YC95ML

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Altuntaş, E., Kaman, T., Ouzaid, Z., Yılmaz, M., Palancı, H. S., Altındiş, M., & Yavru, S. (2026). Design and Optimisation of a Biosurfactant-Synthetic Surfactant Hybrid Nanoemulgel Containing Lemon Balm and Star Anise Essential Oils: Stability, Cytotoxicity, and Antiviral Activity Against HSV-1. İstanbul Journal of Pharmacy, 55(3), 352-365. https://doi.org/10.26650/IstanbulJPharm.2025.1677873

AMA

1.Altuntaş E, Kaman T, Ouzaid Z, et al. Design and Optimisation of a Biosurfactant-Synthetic Surfactant Hybrid Nanoemulgel Containing Lemon Balm and Star Anise Essential Oils: Stability, Cytotoxicity, and Antiviral Activity Against HSV-1. iujp. 2026;55(3):352-365. doi:10.26650/IstanbulJPharm.2025.1677873

Chicago

Altuntaş, Ebru, Tuğba Kaman, Zakaria Ouzaid, et al. 2026. “Design and Optimisation of a Biosurfactant-Synthetic Surfactant Hybrid Nanoemulgel Containing Lemon Balm and Star Anise Essential Oils: Stability, Cytotoxicity, and Antiviral Activity Against HSV-1”. İstanbul Journal of Pharmacy 55 (3): 352-65. https://doi.org/10.26650/IstanbulJPharm.2025.1677873.

EndNote

Altuntaş E, Kaman T, Ouzaid Z, Yılmaz M, Palancı HS, Altındiş M, Yavru S (January 1, 2026) Design and Optimisation of a Biosurfactant-Synthetic Surfactant Hybrid Nanoemulgel Containing Lemon Balm and Star Anise Essential Oils: Stability, Cytotoxicity, and Antiviral Activity Against HSV-1. İstanbul Journal of Pharmacy 55 3 352–365.

IEEE

[1]E. Altuntaş et al., “Design and Optimisation of a Biosurfactant-Synthetic Surfactant Hybrid Nanoemulgel Containing Lemon Balm and Star Anise Essential Oils: Stability, Cytotoxicity, and Antiviral Activity Against HSV-1”, iujp, vol. 55, no. 3, pp. 352–365, Jan. 2026, doi: 10.26650/IstanbulJPharm.2025.1677873.

ISNAD

Altuntaş, Ebru - Kaman, Tuğba - Ouzaid, Zakaria - Yılmaz, Merve - Palancı, Hasan Sercan - Altındiş, Mustafa - Yavru, Sibel. “Design and Optimisation of a Biosurfactant-Synthetic Surfactant Hybrid Nanoemulgel Containing Lemon Balm and Star Anise Essential Oils: Stability, Cytotoxicity, and Antiviral Activity Against HSV-1”. İstanbul Journal of Pharmacy 55/3 (January 1, 2026): 352-365. https://doi.org/10.26650/IstanbulJPharm.2025.1677873.

JAMA

1.Altuntaş E, Kaman T, Ouzaid Z, Yılmaz M, Palancı HS, Altındiş M, Yavru S. Design and Optimisation of a Biosurfactant-Synthetic Surfactant Hybrid Nanoemulgel Containing Lemon Balm and Star Anise Essential Oils: Stability, Cytotoxicity, and Antiviral Activity Against HSV-1. iujp. 2026;55:352–365.

MLA

Altuntaş, Ebru, et al. “Design and Optimisation of a Biosurfactant-Synthetic Surfactant Hybrid Nanoemulgel Containing Lemon Balm and Star Anise Essential Oils: Stability, Cytotoxicity, and Antiviral Activity Against HSV-1”. İstanbul Journal of Pharmacy, vol. 55, no. 3, Jan. 2026, pp. 352-65, doi:10.26650/IstanbulJPharm.2025.1677873.

Vancouver

1.Ebru Altuntaş, Tuğba Kaman, Zakaria Ouzaid, Merve Yılmaz, Hasan Sercan Palancı, Mustafa Altındiş, Sibel Yavru. Design and Optimisation of a Biosurfactant-Synthetic Surfactant Hybrid Nanoemulgel Containing Lemon Balm and Star Anise Essential Oils: Stability, Cytotoxicity, and Antiviral Activity Against HSV-1. iujp. 2026 Jan. 1;55(3):352-65. doi:10.26650/IstanbulJPharm.2025.1677873