Exploring Pomegranate Peel Extract as a Green Synthesizer for Berberine Chloride–Loaded Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles: A Novel Approach for Enhanced Antibacterial Efficacy

This study aimed to prepare oral films incorporated with berberine-loaded zinc oxide nanoparticles (BBR-ZnO-NPs) with pomegranate peel extract as a biocatalyst and evaluate their antibacterial efficacy against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus . BBR-ZnO-NPs were formulated by green synthesis and optimized using Box–Behnken design, followed by characterization using Ultraviolet spectroscopy (UV), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The antibacterial activity of the NPs was evaluated against both strains. Furthermore, an oral film was prepared by loading BBR-ZnO-NPs in a pectin base. The synthesis of BBR-ZnO-NPs was confirmed by UV and FTIR analysis. DSC confirmed the amorphous state of BBR in ZnO-NPs. The BBR entrapment efficiency in ZnO-NPs was found to be 71.60%. The NPs showed improved antibacterial effects compared to BBR. Additionally, BBR-ZnO-NPs, formulated into an oral film of pectin, demonstrated a folding endurance of 207, indicating good flexibility and satisfactory mucoadhesive strength (2.28 ± 0.158 g). The developed BBR-ZnO-NPs loaded pectin films thus demonstrate a promising potential for the localized management of periodontitis.