Piperine and Lavender Oil Enriched Nanostructured Lipid Carriers to Inhibit <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> Biofilm

Background: The application of cutting-edge nanotechnologies is enhancing the delivery of herbal-based treatments. Nanocarriers, characterized by their unique features, can overcome certain limitations of traditional drug delivery systems, thus serving as effective drug delivery vehicles. Concurrently, the antibacterial properties of piperine have been documented in numerous studies. Methods: Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) containing piperine (NLC-Pip) were synthesized using hot homogenization and ultrasound techniques. Their antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus biofilm was evaluated. In formulating NLC-Pip, various percentages of lipids and surfactants were employed. Additionally, the size, Polydispersity Index (PDI), and zeta potential of each formulation were measured using dynamic light scattering (DLS). Results: The optimal formulation was identified with a particle size of 187 nm, a PDI of 0.241, and a zeta potential of -23.1 mV. The encapsulation efficiency was approximately 99%. In antibacterial assays, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for NLC-Pip was 40 μg/mL, while the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) was 80 μg/mL. NLC-Pip demonstrated superior antibacterial activity against S. aureus biofilm compared to both free piperine and piperine-free NLC. Conclusions: The developed NLC-Pip formulation represents a promising vehicle for the development of a drug delivery system aimed at combating S. aureus biofilm.