Preparation and Characterization of Niosomes Containing Cationic Antimicrobial Peptides WSKK11 and WSRR11

Niosomal vesicles were formulated to encapsulate the antimicrobial peptides WSKK11-(K) and WSRR11 (R), using thin film (TF) hydration and reverse-phase evaporation (ReF). Drug entrapment efficiency was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Particle characterization included photon correlation spectrophotometry (Zetasizer), light and inverted microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of the niosomes were also evaluated. FTIR investigation showed that WSKK11 and WSRR11 could be successfully encapsulated. KTF and RTF encapsulated about 83.93 ± 0.15% of WSKK11 and 88.58 ± 9.92% of WSRR11, while KReF and RReF encapsulated 88.72 ± 9.78 and 89.36 ± 9.22%, respectively. Thin film hydration (CTF-control, KTF, and RTF) exhibited a mean particle size of 1.28-2.02 μm with size distribution (PDI = 0.40-0.45) and zeta potential (-44.2 to -47.3), while reverse-phase evaporation (CReF-control, KReF, and RReF) gave a mean particle size of 0.75-1.84 μm with size distribution (PDI = 0.16-0.48) and zeta potential (-49.4 to -60.8). The niosomes exhibited spherical structures within the micrometer-scale range, as observed by TEM and SEM analyses. Analyses revealed a low cytotoxicity against human keratinocyte HaCaT and fibroblast MRC-5 cells. Therefore, these results provide proof of principle for the effective use of niosomes as a delivery vehicle for antimicrobial peptides to treat acne-causing bacteria.