Alpha-Mangostin/Aloe Vera Hydrogel Microneedles for Inhibiting Acne-Associated Bacteria

This research aims to develop innovative microneedle patches encapsulating alpha-mangostin and Aloe Vera extracts as a novel approach to inhibit bacteria responsible for acne formation. Microbiological analysis revealed that the formulated microneedle patches effectively inhibit bacterial growth. Specifically, the inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus demonstrated a clear dose–response relationship, where antibacterial efficacy increased progressively with increasing extract volume. Furthermore, when combined with Clindamycin, an enhanced antibacterial effect was observed, markedly larger zone of inhibition compared to other treatments, indicating an optimal extract volume for improved antimicrobial activity. In contrast, the extracts alone did not show an obvious increase in the inhibition zone against Escherichia coli, contrary to the initial hypothesis. However, the introduction of Clindamycin into the alpha-mangostin formulation resulted in a substantial expansion of the clear zone compared to the control group. This suggests that Clindamycin serves as the primary agent for E. coli inhibition in this system, with a potential enhancing effect occurring up to a certain threshold. Notably, increasing the extract volume to the maximum level (5 mL) led to a reduction in the inhibition zone. This phenomenon suggests an optimal volume threshold, beyond which excessive extract volumes may impede substance diffusion within the agar or lead to molecular aggregation, thereby diminishing overall antimicrobial activity despite the presence of Clindamycin. These findings provide critical insights into the balanced formulation required for developing effective transdermal antibacterial treatments.