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Volume 18
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10.3390/pharmaceutics18060751
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Article

A Novel Herbal Nano-Based Ear Drop with Ocimum gratissimum Essential Oil: An Alternative Strategy for Managing Otomycosis

by
Bac V. G. Nguyen
1,†,
Hoai Thu Le
2,†,
Tien-Trung Dao
3,
Quy-Nguyen Doan
3,
Duc-Huy Pham
1,
Nghi Bao Nguyen
2,
Minh-Tri Le
3,4,
Du-Thien Nguyen
3 and
Phuoc-Vinh Nguyen
3,4,*
1
School of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam
2
Center for Molecular Biomedicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam
3
Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Health Sciences, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam
4
Research Center of Discovery and Development of Healthcare Products, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
†
These authors contributed equally to this work.
Pharmaceutics 2026, 18(6), 751; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics18060751
Submission received: 16 April 2026 / Revised: 8 June 2026 / Accepted: 12 June 2026 / Published: 18 June 2026
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoemulsions for Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Applications)
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Abstract

Background/Objectives: Otomycosis is a recurrent fungal infection of the external auditory canal. This disease is difficult to manage with current antifungal agents due to irritation, ototoxicity risk, and emerging resistance. Natural essential oils have been proposed as alternatives, yet their clinical application in otic formulations remains limited due to their poor solubility and stability. In this study, we report the first ear-drop formulation combining microemulsified Ocimum gratissimum essential oil and acetic acid for otomycosis treatment. Methods: The essential oil was quality-validated with eugenol content superior to 60%. A systematic formulation study was performed, and the Tween 20/isopropanol (4:1, w/w) mixture was selected as the optimal surfactant system, yielding a stable microemulsion with high encapsulation efficiency (~98%) and relevant physicochemical stability (up to 28 days). The final formulation containing 1% acetic acid and 0.3% micro-emulsified essential oil met pharmacopeial requirements in terms of appearance, pH, viscosity, and microbial limits. Results: Importantly, this micro-emulsified eardrop demonstrated significantly greater in vitro antifungal activity than 3% boric acid and 2% acetic acid eardrops in twelve clinical fungal isolates from Vietnamese swimmers, especially on Curvularia, Cunninghamella, Aspergillus terreus, and Bipolaris. Although less pronounced than 1% clotrimazole, the finalized formulation demonstrates better antifungal kinetics and a broader activity spectrum. Conclusions: This work provides relevant experimental evidence on the use of Ocimum gratissimum essential oil in a microemulsion delivery system and demonstrates its efficacy against clinically relevant otomycosis pathogens. The results establish a foundation for future in vivo and clinical studies.
Keywords: Ocimum gratissimum (L.) essential oil; acetic acid; eardrop; microemulsion Ocimum gratissimum (L.) essential oil; acetic acid; eardrop; microemulsion

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MDPI and ACS Style

Nguyen, B.V.G.; Le, H.T.; Dao, T.-T.; Doan, Q.-N.; Pham, D.-H.; Nguyen, N.B.; Le, M.-T.; Nguyen, D.-T.; Nguyen, P.-V. A Novel Herbal Nano-Based Ear Drop with Ocimum gratissimum Essential Oil: An Alternative Strategy for Managing Otomycosis. Pharmaceutics 2026, 18, 751. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics18060751

AMA Style

Nguyen BVG, Le HT, Dao T-T, Doan Q-N, Pham D-H, Nguyen NB, Le M-T, Nguyen D-T, Nguyen P-V. A Novel Herbal Nano-Based Ear Drop with Ocimum gratissimum Essential Oil: An Alternative Strategy for Managing Otomycosis. Pharmaceutics. 2026; 18(6):751. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics18060751

Chicago/Turabian Style

Nguyen, Bac V. G., Hoai Thu Le, Tien-Trung Dao, Quy-Nguyen Doan, Duc-Huy Pham, Nghi Bao Nguyen, Minh-Tri Le, Du-Thien Nguyen, and Phuoc-Vinh Nguyen. 2026. "A Novel Herbal Nano-Based Ear Drop with Ocimum gratissimum Essential Oil: An Alternative Strategy for Managing Otomycosis" Pharmaceutics 18, no. 6: 751. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics18060751

APA Style

Nguyen, B. V. G., Le, H. T., Dao, T.-T., Doan, Q.-N., Pham, D.-H., Nguyen, N. B., Le, M.-T., Nguyen, D.-T., & Nguyen, P.-V. (2026). A Novel Herbal Nano-Based Ear Drop with Ocimum gratissimum Essential Oil: An Alternative Strategy for Managing Otomycosis. Pharmaceutics, 18(6), 751. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics18060751

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