Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Chitosan Hydrogels Containing Satureja Khuzestanica Jamzad Essential Oil in an Animal Model

Background and aim: nanoparticle shells protect bioactive compounds against the environmental conditions of light, heat, and oxygen, and are also used as carriers for targeted delivery. in the present study, the anti-inflammatory effects of a chitosan-based nanogel containing satureja khuzestanica essential oil (ske:np) were studied and compared with satureja khuzestanica essential oil (ske). materials and methods: nanoparticles were prepared using the ionic gelation method. the anti-inflammatory effects of the chitosan-based hydrogel containing ske, using the paw inflammatory model induced with 2.5% formalin at different times (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 24 h after subcutaneous injection), were evaluated. results: nanoparticles with a particle size of 552.8 nm, a surface charge of 24.3 mv, and an encapsulation efficiency of 30.74% were synthesized. the results of this study showed that ske:np (50 mg/kg) could reduce inflammation at all times (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 24 h after subcutaneous injection). the hind paw was compared with diclofenac sodium at times (0, 1, 2, 3, 4 h after subcutaneous injection), and a significant decrease in paw inflammation was observed. the lowest amount was observed in the group receiving nanogel 50 mg (0.208 g/cm3). in contrast, the amount of paw swelling in the group receiving ske at a dose of 100 mg/kg two hours after the applied treatment was 0.441 g/cm3 (p<0.0001). conclusion: a comparison of the results showed that ske:np had more anti-inflammatory effects than ske. explanation of the exact mechanism of this anti-inflammatory effect requires a separate investigation.