ANTI-INFLAMMATORY EFFECT OF ALGINATE POLYMER FILMS INCORPORATED WITH NANOEMULSION OF SCHINUS TEREBINTHIFOLIUS ESSENTIAL OIL

Objective: This study aimed to develop alginate polymeric films incorporated with nanoemulsion of Schinus terebinthifolius essential oil and evaluate their anti-inflammatory activity against protein denaturation. Methods: The essential oil was extracted by hydrodistillation and characterized by GC-MS. Nanoemulsions were prepared by phase inversion method and incorporated into alginate films by casting. Anti-inflammatory activity was assessed by the protein denaturation method using albumin, with IC₅₀ values calculated for the biofilm. Results: GC-MS analysis revealed β-pinene (46.85%), α-pinene (18.55%), and germacrene D (17.06%) as the major constituents. The biofilm-nanoemulsion system exhibited moderate anti-inflammatory activity, with an IC₅₀ value of 113.77 mg/L. The χ² value of 0.9981 and R² of 0.9974 demonstrated the excellent fit of the experimental data to the mathematical model. The observed activity was attributed to the synergistic effects of monoterpenes (β-pinene and α-pinene) and sesquiterpenes (germacrene D and caryophyllene). Conclusion: The alginate films incorporated with nanoemulsion of S. terebinthifolius essential oil demonstrated moderate anti-inflammatory activity, attributed to the synergistic effects of the major bioactive compounds combined with the controlled release provided by the alginate matrix. These findings indicate that the biofilm-nanoemulsion system represents a promising natural alternative for wound dressing and topical formulations to modulate inflammation and promote tissue repair.