Australian Researchers Develop Novel Acne Treatment Using Narasin Nanoparticles

by Mateo Gonzalez
7 comments
Narasin nanoparticle acne treatment

Scientists in Australia have innovated a groundbreaking treatment for acne by utilizing nanoparticles to deliver an antibacterial compound known as Narasin. This substance, typically employed in the livestock sector, was encapsulated in minuscule nanoparticles and administered in a gel form to acne-affected areas. Remarkably, the drug demonstrated enhanced absorption rates when conveyed through these nanocarriers. Given that acne is a prevalent condition affecting almost 9.4% of the global populace and causing numerous psychological issues, this discovery could be transformative.

Acne is a widespread dermatological condition that afflicts an estimated 800 million people worldwide, both adolescents and adults. Researchers from the University of South Australia (UniSA) have potentially revolutionized acne treatment by encapsulating Narasin in nanoparticles that are 1000 times smaller than a single strand of human hair, and applying this formulation directly to areas affected by acne.

The Origin and Efficacy of the Drug

Originally a drug used in animal husbandry, Narasin showed effectiveness against bacteria resistant to conventional acne medications. The drug’s nanocarrier delivery method resulted in a 100-fold enhancement in absorption compared to conventional water-based administration. The research has been documented in the scientific journal, Nanoscale.

UniSA Ph.D. student Fatima Abid, the lead author of the study, indicated that this is the inaugural research where nano-micelle formations of Narasin have been developed and tested.

Acne’s Societal Impact and Existing Treatments

According to Abid, acne has a severe psychological impact on nearly 9.4% of the global population, predominantly affecting adolescents. It leads to a wide range of emotional issues, including distress, social withdrawal, and low self-esteem. Most existing oral treatments come with undesirable side effects and often lack water solubility, making topical solutions the preferred method of treatment among both patients and healthcare providers.

Professor Sanjay Garg, a pharmaceutical scientist and Abid’s academic advisor, noted that the escalating issue of antibiotic resistance, coupled with the limited ability of many topical medications to infiltrate hair follicles at acne sites, underscores the urgent need for innovative and effective antibacterial therapies.

Untapped Potential of Narasin for Acne Management

Narasin has previously been used for treating bacterial infections in livestock, but this marks its first exploration as a possible acne treatment. The research team, consisting of members from UniSA, the University of Adelaide, and Aix-Marseille Université in France, also studied how effectively Narasin, when encapsulated in nanoparticles, penetrated various skin layers, using pig ear skin as a model. According to Professor Garg, the nano-micelle formulation succeeded in delivering Narasin to the targeted acne areas, whereas the regular compound solution could not permeate the skin layers effectively.

Reference: “Nanotechnology and narasin: A potent duo against acne,” authored by Fatima Abid, Bhumika Savaliya, Ankit Parikh, Sangseo Kim, Marzieh Amirmostofian, Laura Cesari, Yunmei Song, Stephen W. Page, Darren J. Trott, and Sanjay Garg, published on August 14, 2023, in Nanoscale.
DOI: 10.1039/D3NR01789C

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Narasin nanoparticle acne treatment

What is the main focus of the research conducted by Australian scientists?

The main focus of the research is the development of a novel acne treatment using nanoparticles to deliver an antibacterial compound known as Narasin.

Where was the research conducted and who led it?

The research was conducted at the University of South Australia (UniSA) and was led by Ph.D. student Fatima Abid under the supervision of pharmaceutical scientist Professor Sanjay Garg.

What is Narasin and why is it significant in this study?

Narasin is an antibacterial compound traditionally used in the livestock industry. In this study, it was encapsulated in nanoparticles and showed a significantly higher rate of absorption when applied to acne-affected areas.

What are the psychological impacts of acne mentioned in the text?

The text states that acne severely affects approximately 9.4% of the global population, causing emotional distress, social withdrawal, low self-esteem, and anxiety among sufferers.

What are the current drawbacks of existing acne treatments?

Current oral medications for acne often come with undesirable side effects and many are poorly water-soluble, making topical treatments the preferred method among clinicians and patients.

What were the notable findings of the study?

The study found that Narasin, when delivered via nanoparticles, had a 100-fold increase in absorption compared to standard water-based administration. It was also effective against bacteria that are resistant to conventional acne treatments.

Where have the findings been published?

The findings have been published in the scientific journal Nanoscale, with the DOI reference 10.1039/D3NR01789C.

What is the potential implication of this research?

The research holds the potential to revolutionize acne treatment by providing an effective and safe alternative to existing medications, thereby addressing a condition that affects a significant portion of the global population.

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7 comments

Robert Lee October 29, 2023 - 2:23 am

Antibiotic resistance is scary stuff. Good to see we’re getting creative with treatments. Fingers crossed for this one.

Reply
Timothy Green October 29, 2023 - 5:52 am

interesting. i always thought nano tech would be the future of medicine. Looks like the future’s here.

Reply
Sarah Williams October 29, 2023 - 6:57 am

This sounds promising. Acne’s been a struggle for so many people, not just physically but mentally too. Kudos to the scientists!

Reply
Emily Thompson October 29, 2023 - 9:41 am

Finally, science does something practical! tired of all the theoretical stuff. Let’s solve real world probs people.

Reply
Daniel Smith October 29, 2023 - 12:07 pm

9.4% of the world’s got acne? That’s insane. Glad to see innovation in this area. Hope it’s not just hype.

Reply
Linda Davis October 29, 2023 - 7:29 pm

As a parent, I’m always worried about the side effects of acne meds on my teens. If this is safer and more effective, I’m all for it!

Reply
Mike Johnson October 29, 2023 - 8:40 pm

Wow, this is a game changer. Can’t believe they’re usin’ livestock drugs for acne. Hope it gets to market soon.

Reply

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