Antimicrobial assay of a capsaicin - α-cyclodextrin inclusion complex against planktonic and adherent cells

Abstract

Capsaicin (CAP), (E)-N-[(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)methyl]-8-methylnon-6-enamide, as an active principle and α-cyclodextrin (α-CD) have been used to obtain an inclusion complex with the molar ratio 1:1 that can be subsequently included in semisolid pharmaceutical formulations in order to improve the solubility of this active principle. In the inclusion process no covalent bonds are formed or broken. The results of the antimicrobial activity assay revealed a similar efficiency of the two capsaicin complexes and of non-capsulated CAP against planktonic cells. However, the inclusion complex of capsaicin significantly improves its antibiofilm activity, is thus recommended for the development of preventive or therapeutic strategies for the management of biofilm-associated infections.