Red Ginger Extract Nanoemulgel: Antibacterial and Wound-Healing Efficacy Against Staphylococcus aureus in a Preclinical Mouse Model

Abstract

Wound infections by Staphylococcus aureus (St. aureus), exacerbated by biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance, are a major challenge in wound management. This study aims to test the efficacy of Red Ginger Extract Nanoemulgel (RGE Nanoemulgel) as a new topical agent in controlling bacterial infections and accelerating the healing of experimentally induced infected incision wounds in a preclinical mouse model. The study comprised in vitro antibacterial and anti-biofilm activity assays comparing RGE Nanoemulsion against Gentamicin, followed by in vivo efficacy testing in an animal model comparing RGE Nanoemulgel, RGE, and Mupirocin in terms of bacterial abundance (log CFU/gram) and wound contraction percentage. Results indicated that RGE Nanoemulsion demonstrated promising in vitro antimicrobial activity; at a concentration of 25%, antibacterial inhibition reached 75.11% (exceeding Gentamicin at 51.18%), and anti-biofilm inhibition reached 90.79% at 50% concentration. In vivo, RGE Nanoemulgel suppressed bacterial abundance to 3.96 log CFU/gram, comparable to Mupirocin, and achieved a wound contraction rate of 93.50% on Day 12, exceeding Mupirocin (63.16%). These preclinical findings suggest that RGE Nanoemulgel may represent a promising non-antibiotic topical candidate, combining antibacterial, anti-biofilm, and wound-supportive properties. Further toxicity, stability, and clinical validation studies are warranted before therapeutic claims can be established.