3D nanocomposite alginate hydrogel loaded with pitavastatin nanovesicles as a functional wound dressing with controlled drug release; preparation, in-vitro and in-vivo evaluation

Integrated In Vivo and In Vitro Evaluation of a Powder-to-Hydrogel, Film-Forming Polymer Complex Base with Tissue-Protective and Microbiome-Supportive Properties

The study aimed to perform a comprehensive in vitro and in vivo evaluation of a newly developed, patent-pending, powder-to-hydrogel, film-forming polymer complex base, which possesses tissue-protective and microbiome-supportive properties, and to compare its characteristics with poloxamer 407. The study used a combination of in vitro assays, including tissue viability and cell migration, and in vivo wound healing evaluations in male diabetic mice. Microbiome dynamics at wound sites were also analyzed. The in vitro assays demonstrated that the polymer complex base was non-cytotoxic and that it enhanced cell migration over poloxamer 407. In vivo, the polymer complex base demonstrated superior wound healing capabilities, particularly in combination with misoprostol and phenytoin, as evidenced by the reduced wound area and inflammation scores. Microbiome analysis revealed favorable shifts in bacterial populations associated with the polymer complex base-treated wounds. The polymer complex base demonstrates clinical significance in wound care, potentially offering improved healing, safety and microbiome support. Its transformative properties and efficacy in drug delivery make it a promising candidate for advanced wound care applications, particularly in chronic wound management.

Nanocomposite alginate hydrogel loaded with propranolol hydrochloride kolliphor® based cerosomes as a repurposed platform for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus-(MRSA)-induced skin infection; in-vitro, ex-vivo, in-silico, and in-vivo evaluation

Nanocomposite alginate hydrogel containing Propranolol hydrochloride (PNL) cerosomes (CERs) was prepared as a repurposed remedy for topical skin Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection. CERs were formed via an ethanol injection technique using different ceramides, Kolliphores® as a surfactant, and Didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB) as a positive charge inducer. CERs were optimized utilizing 13. 22 mixed-factorial design employing Design-Expert® software, the assessed responses were entrapment efficiency (EE%), particle size (PS), and zeta potential (ZP). The optimum CER, composed of 5 mg DDAB, ceramide VI, and Kolliphor® RH40 showed tubular vesicles with EE% of 92.91 ± 0.98%, PS of 388.75 ± 18.99 nm, PDI of 0.363 ± 0.01, and ZP of 30.36 ± 0.69 mV. Also, it remained stable for 90 days and manifested great mucoadhesive aspects. The optimum CER was incorporated into calcium alginate to prepare nanocomposite hydrogel. The ex-vivo evaluation illustrated that PNL was permeated in a more prolonged pattern from PNL-loaded CERs nanocomposite related to PNL-composite, optimum CER, and PNL solution. Confocal laser scanning microscopy revealed a perfect accumulation of fluorescein-labeled CERs in the skin. The in-silico investigation illustrated that the PNL was stable when mixed with other ingredients in the CERs and confirmed that PNL is a promising candidate for curing MRSA. Moreover, the PNL-loaded CERs nanocomposite revealed superiority over the PNL solution in inhibiting biofilm formation and eradication. The PNL-loaded CERs nanocomposite showed superiority over the PNL-composite for treating MRSA infection in the in-vivo mice model. Histopathological studies revealed the safety of the tested formulations. In conclusion, PNL-loaded CERs nanocomposite provided a promising, safe cure for MRSA bacterial skin infection.

Cross-Linked Alginate Dialdehyde/Chitosan Hydrogel Encompassing Curcumin-Loaded Bilosomes for Enhanced Wound Healing Activity

The current study aimed to fabricate curcumin-loaded bilosomal hydrogel for topical wound healing purposes, hence alleviating the poor aqueous solubility and low oral bioavailability of curcumin. Bilosomes were fabricated via the thin film hydration technique using cholesterol, Span® 60, and two different types of bile salts (sodium deoxycholate or sodium cholate). Bilosomes were verified for their particle size (PS), polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential (ZP), entrapment efficiency (EE%), and in vitro drug release besides their morphological features. The optimum formulation was composed of cholesterol/Span® 60 (molar ratio 1:10 w/w) and 5 mg of sodium deoxycholate. This optimum formulation was composed of a PS of 246.25 ± 11.85 nm, PDI of 0.339 ± 0.030, ZP of -36.75 ± 0.14 mv, EE% of 93.32% ± 0.40, and the highest percent of drug released over three days (96.23% ± 0.02). The optimum bilosomal formulation was loaded into alginate dialdehyde/chitosan hydrogel cross-linked with calcium chloride. The loaded hydrogel was tested for its water uptake capacity, in vitro drug release, and in vivo studies on male Albino rats. The results showed that the loaded hydrogel possessed a high-water uptake percent at the four-week time point (729.50% ± 43.13) before it started to disintegrate gradually; in addition, it showed sustained drug release for five days (≈100%). In vivo animal testing and histopathological studies supported the superiority of the curcumin-loaded bilosomal hydrogel in wound healing compared to the curcumin dispersion and plain hydrogel, where there was a complete wound closure attained after the three-week period with a proper healing mechanism. Finally, it was concluded that curcumin-loaded bilosomal hydrogel offered a robust, efficient, and user-friendly dosage form for wound healing.

Polymeric nanocomposite hydrogel scaffold for jawbone regeneration: The role of rosuvastatin calcium-loaded silica nanoparticles

Bones are subject to different types of damages ranging from simple fatigue to profound defects. In serious cases, the endogenous healing mechanism is not capable of healing the damage or restoring the normal structure and function of the bony tissue. The aim of this research was to achieve a sustained delivery of rosuvastatin and assess its efficacy in healing bone tissue damage. Rosuvastatin was entrapped into silica nanoparticles and the system was loaded into an alginate hydrogel to be implanted in the damaged tissue. Silica nanoparticles were formulated based on a modified Stöber technique and alginate hydrogel was prepared via sprinkling alginate onto silica nanoparticle dispersion followed by addition of CaCl2 to promote crosslinking and hydrogel rigidification. The selected nanoparticle formulation possessed high % drug content (100.22± 0.67%), the smallest particle size (221.00± 7.30 nm) and a sustained drug release up to 4 weeks (98.72± 0.52%). The fabricated hydrogel exhibited a further delay in drug release (81.52± 4.81% after 4 weeks). FT-IR indicated the silica nanoparticle formation and hydrogel crosslinking. SEM visualized the porous and dense surface of hydrogel. In-vivo testing on induced bone defects in New Zealand rabbits revealed the enhanced rate of new bone tissue formation, its homogeneity in color as well as similarity in structure to the original tissue.

Investigating the Targeting Power to Brain Tissues of Intranasal Rasagiline Mesylate-Loaded Transferosomal In Situ Gel for Efficient Treatment of Parkinson's Disease

Rasagiline mesylate (RSM) is a hydrophilic drug with poor oral bioavailability (36%) because of hepatic first-pass metabolism. The present study focuses on delivering RSM directly to the brain through its inclusion within transferosomal in situ gel administered through the intranasal (IN) route. Transferosomes were formed by the thin-film hydration method with the aid of Design-Expert^® software by varying the edge activator (EA) type in the absence or presence of cholesterol. By desirability calculations, the optimum formulation was composed of phosphatidylcholine and sodium deoxycholate as an EA (5:1% w/w) with no cholesterol. The optimum formulation was 198.63 ± 34.98 nm in size and displayed an entrapment efficiency of 95.73 ± 0.09%. Transmission electron microscopy revealed discrete and spherical vesicles. Optimized transferosomes were further incorporated into an in situ gel composed of 0.5% pectin, 15% Pluronic^® F-127, and 5% Pluronic^® F-68 and tested for the in vivo performance. The systemic as well as brain kinetics were assessed in rats by comparing the IN-administered in situ gel to the IV aqueous solution. The optimum in situ gel showed safety and biocompatibility on rats' nasal mucosa with enhanced brain bioavailability (131.17%). Drug targeting efficiency and direct transport percentage indices (304.53% and 67.16%, respectively) supported successful brain targeting offering direct nose-to-brain drug delivery.

In Vitro and In Vivo Characterization Methods for Evaluation of Modern Wound Dressings

Chronic wound management represents a major challenge in the healthcare sector owing to its delayed wound-healing process progression and huge financial burden. In this regard, wound dressings provide an appropriate platform for facilitating wound healing for several decades. However, adherent traditional wound dressings do not provide effective wound healing for highly exudating chronic wounds and need the development of newer and innovative wound dressings to facilitate accelerated wound healing. In addition, these dressings need frequent changing, resulting in more pain and discomfort. In order to overcome these issues, a wide range of affordable and innovative modern wound dressings have been developed and explored recently to accelerate and improve the wound healing process. However, a comprehensive understanding of various in vitro and in vivo characterization methods being utilized for the evaluation of different modern wound dressings is lacking. In this context, an overview of modern dressings and their complete in vitro and in vivo characterization methods for wound healing assessment is provided in this review. Herein, various emerging modern wound dressings with advantages and challenges have also been reviewed. Furthermore, different in vitro wound healing assays and in vivo wound models being utilized for the evaluation of wound healing progression and wound healing rate using wound dressings are discussed in detail. Finally, a summary of modern wound dressings with challenges and the future outlook is highlighted.

Different Curcumin-Loaded Delivery Systems for Wound Healing Applications: A Comprehensive Review

Curcumin or turmeric is the active constituent of Curcuma longa L. It has marvelous medicinal applications in many diseases. When the skin integrity is compromised due to either acute or chronic wounds, the body initiates several steps leading to tissue healing and skin barrier function restoration. Curcumin has very strong antibacterial and antifungal activities with powerful wound healing ability owing to its antioxidant activity. Nevertheless, its poor oral bioavailability, low water solubility and rapid metabolism limit its medical use. Tailoring suitable drug delivery systems for carrying curcumin improves its pharmaceutical and pharmacological effects. This review summarizes the most recent reported curcumin-loaded delivery systems for wound healing purposes, chiefly hydrogels, films, wafers, and sponges. In addition, curcumin nanoformulations such as nanohydrogels, nanoparticles and nanofibers are also presented, which offer better solubility, bioavailability, and sustained release to augment curcumin wound healing effects through stimulating the different healing phases by the aid of the small carrier.

Biomaterials for Tissue Engineering Applications and Current Updates in the Field: A Comprehensive Review

Tissue engineering has emerged as an interesting field nowadays; it focuses on accelerating the auto-healing mechanism of tissues rather than organ transplantation. It involves implanting an In Vitro cultured initiative tissue or a scaffold loaded with tissue regenerating ingredients at the damaged area. Both techniques are based on the use of biodegradable, biocompatible polymers as scaffolding materials which are either derived from natural (e.g. alginates, celluloses, and zein) or synthetic sources (e.g. PLGA, PCL, and PLA). This review discusses in detail the recent applications of different biomaterials in tissue engineering highlighting the targeted tissues besides the in vitro and in vivo key findings. As well, smart biomaterials (e.g. chitosan) are fascinating candidates in the field as they are capable of elucidating a chemical or physical transformation as response to external stimuli (e.g. temperature, pH, magnetic or electric fields). Recent trends in tissue engineering are summarized in this review highlighting the use of stem cells, 3D printing techniques, and the most recent 4D printing approach which relies on the use of smart biomaterials to produce a dynamic scaffold resembling the natural tissue. Furthermore, the application of advanced tissue engineering techniques provides hope for the researchers to recognize COVID-19/host interaction, also, it presents a promising solution to rejuvenate the destroyed lung tissues.

Fabrication and Preliminary In Vitro Evaluation of 3D-Printed Alginate Films with Cannabidiol (CBD) and Cannabigerol (CBG) Nanoparticles for Potential Wound-Healing Applications

In this study, drug carrier nanoparticles comprised of Pluronic-F127 and cannabidiol (CBD) or cannabigerol (CBG) were developed, and their wound healing action was studied. They were further incorporated in 3D printed films based on sodium alginate. The prepared films were characterized morphologically and physicochemically and used to evaluate the drug release profiles of the nanoparticles. Additional studies on their water loss rate, water retention capacity, and 3D-printing shape fidelity were performed. Nanoparticles were characterized physicochemically and for their drug loading performance. They were further assessed for their cytotoxicity (MTT Assay) and wound healing action (Cell Scratch Assay). The in vitro wound-healing study showed that the nanoparticles successfully enhanced wound healing in the first 6 h of application, but in the following 6 h they had an adverse effect. MTT assay studies revealed that in the first 24 h, a concentration of 0.1 mg/mL nanoparticles resulted in satisfactory cell viability, whereas CBG nanoparticles were safe even at 48 h. However, in higher concentrations and after a threshold of 24 h, the cell viability was significantly decreased. The results also presented mono-disperse nano-sized particles with diameters smaller than 200 nm with excellent release profiles and enhanced thermal stability. Their entrapment efficiency and drug loading properties were higher than 97%. The release profiles of the active pharmaceutical ingredients from the films revealed a complete release within 24 h. The fabricated 3D-printed films hold promise for wound healing applications; however, more studies are needed to further elucidate their mechanism of action.