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Ozon EA, Anastasescu M, Musuc AM, Burloiu AM, Socoteanu RP, Atkinson I, Mitran RA, Culita DC, Lupuliasa D, Mihai DP, Gird CE, Boscencu R. Formulation and Characterization of Carbopol-Based Porphyrin Gels for Targeted Dermato-Oncological Therapy: Physicochemical and Pharmacotechnical Insights. Int J Mol Sci 2025; 26:3641. [PMID: 40332216 PMCID: PMC12026875 DOI: 10.3390/ijms26083641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2025] [Revised: 03/29/2025] [Accepted: 04/09/2025] [Indexed: 05/08/2025] Open
Abstract
Malignant skin conditions are classified as the most common forms of cancer, with an evolution of one million new cases reported every year. Research efforts in the medical field are focused on developing innovative strategies for the dissemination of measures for preventing cancer and providing new antitumor compounds. The present research examines the development and evaluation of 1% Carbopol-based hydrogels incorporating two porphyrin derivatives-5,10,15,20-tetrakis-(4-acetoxy-3-methoxyphenyl) porphyrin (P2.1) and 5-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-10,15,20-tris-(4-acetoxy-3-methoxyphenyl) porphyrin (P2.2)-to create formulations suitable for topical photodynamic therapy (PDT) applications. The physicochemical properties of the obtained hydrogels were carefully evaluated, revealing the successful integration of the porphyrins into the 1% Carbopol hydrogel matrix. Rheological analysis demonstrated pseudoplastic behavior, with an increase in viscosity properties for P2.1 and P2.2, suggesting interactions with the Carbopol polymer structure. UV-visible and fluorescence spectroscopy confirmed the maintenance of the porphyrins' photodynamic properties, essential for therapeutic efficacy. Pharmacotechnical studies highlighted the hydrogels' suitability for topical applications. The formulations maintained an optimal pH range, ensuring skin compatibility and minimizing the potential for skin irritation. Their mechanical properties, including elasticity and rigidity, provided stability during handling and application. The high swelling capacity indicated effective moisture retention, enhancing skin hydration and drug release potential. Furthermore, the hydrogels demonstrated excellent spreadability, enabling uniform application and coverage, crucial for efficient light activation of the photosensitizers. The combination of robust physicochemical and pharmacotechnical properties highlights the potential of these porphyrin-loaded 1% Carbopol hydrogels as promising carriers for topical PDT. These results permit further biological and therapeutic investigations to optimize the formulation for clinical use, advancing the development of effective localized photodynamic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Adriana Ozon
- Faculty of Pharmacy, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 6 Traian Vuia St., 020956 Bucharest, Romania; (E.A.O.); (D.L.); (D.P.M.); (C.E.G.); (R.B.)
| | - Mihai Anastasescu
- Institute of Physical Chemistry—Ilie Murgulescu, Romanian Academy, 202 Spl. Independentei, 060021 Bucharest, Romania; (M.A.); (R.P.S.); (I.A.); (R.-A.M.)
| | - Adina Magdalena Musuc
- Institute of Physical Chemistry—Ilie Murgulescu, Romanian Academy, 202 Spl. Independentei, 060021 Bucharest, Romania; (M.A.); (R.P.S.); (I.A.); (R.-A.M.)
| | - Andreea Mihaela Burloiu
- Faculty of Pharmacy, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 6 Traian Vuia St., 020956 Bucharest, Romania; (E.A.O.); (D.L.); (D.P.M.); (C.E.G.); (R.B.)
| | - Radu Petre Socoteanu
- Institute of Physical Chemistry—Ilie Murgulescu, Romanian Academy, 202 Spl. Independentei, 060021 Bucharest, Romania; (M.A.); (R.P.S.); (I.A.); (R.-A.M.)
| | - Irina Atkinson
- Institute of Physical Chemistry—Ilie Murgulescu, Romanian Academy, 202 Spl. Independentei, 060021 Bucharest, Romania; (M.A.); (R.P.S.); (I.A.); (R.-A.M.)
| | - Raul-Augustin Mitran
- Institute of Physical Chemistry—Ilie Murgulescu, Romanian Academy, 202 Spl. Independentei, 060021 Bucharest, Romania; (M.A.); (R.P.S.); (I.A.); (R.-A.M.)
| | - Daniela C. Culita
- Institute of Physical Chemistry—Ilie Murgulescu, Romanian Academy, 202 Spl. Independentei, 060021 Bucharest, Romania; (M.A.); (R.P.S.); (I.A.); (R.-A.M.)
| | - Dumitru Lupuliasa
- Faculty of Pharmacy, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 6 Traian Vuia St., 020956 Bucharest, Romania; (E.A.O.); (D.L.); (D.P.M.); (C.E.G.); (R.B.)
| | - Dragos Paul Mihai
- Faculty of Pharmacy, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 6 Traian Vuia St., 020956 Bucharest, Romania; (E.A.O.); (D.L.); (D.P.M.); (C.E.G.); (R.B.)
| | - Cerasela Elena Gird
- Faculty of Pharmacy, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 6 Traian Vuia St., 020956 Bucharest, Romania; (E.A.O.); (D.L.); (D.P.M.); (C.E.G.); (R.B.)
| | - Rica Boscencu
- Faculty of Pharmacy, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 6 Traian Vuia St., 020956 Bucharest, Romania; (E.A.O.); (D.L.); (D.P.M.); (C.E.G.); (R.B.)
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Soleimani Z, Baharifar H, Najmoddin N, Khoshnevisan K. Evaluation of Carboxymethyl Cellulose/Gelatin Hydrogel-Based Dressing Containing Cefdinir for Wound Healing Promotion in Animal Model. Gels 2025; 11:38. [PMID: 39852009 PMCID: PMC11765047 DOI: 10.3390/gels11010038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2024] [Revised: 12/27/2024] [Accepted: 01/02/2025] [Indexed: 01/26/2025] Open
Abstract
The skin serves as a critical barrier against external pathogens, and its wound healing is a complex biological process that requires careful management to ensure optimal tissue regeneration. Hydrogels, a class of hydrophilic polymers, have emerged as promising materials for wound dressings due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and ability to create a moist wound environment conducive to cell proliferation and migration. In this research, a hydrogel dressing containing cefdinir (Cef) was made from a combination of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and gelatin (Gel) by a physical crosslinking method, and their physicochemical, mechanical, and biological properties were investigated. Results show that the addition of Cef does not cause a significant change in the morphology or the tensile strength of the wound dressing. The swelling and degradation rate of the hydrogel slightly increased in the presence of Cef. The presence of Cef enhanced antibacterial effects up to 2.5-fold against P. aeruginosa (35 mm), S. aureus (36 mm), and S. pyogenes (35 mm). The results of the cytotoxicity test showed the absence of cytotoxicity in both drug-containing and drug-free wound dressings, as well as a survival rate of over 75% in cells after 48 h. The drug-containing wound dressing accelerates the formation of the epidermis layer and the production of fibroblast cells, and as a result, accelerates the wound healing process. The percentage of wound healing on the ninth day of treatment for an untreated wound was 30%, while this percentage was 40% with a wound dressing without medicine and 60% with a wound dressing containing medicine, and on the fifteenth day of treatment, the wound treated with both wound dressings had more than 85% healing. As a result, it is possible to use CMC/Gel hydrogel polymeric wound dressing containing Cef as a wound dressing for wound healing, according to the desired physicochemical properties and biocompatibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Soleimani
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran 1477893855, Iran
| | - Hadi Baharifar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran 1477893855, Iran
- Applied Biophotonics Research Center, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran 1477893855, Iran
| | - Najmeh Najmoddin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran 1477893855, Iran
| | - Kamyar Khoshnevisan
- Medical Nanotechnology and Tissue Engineering Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1983963113, Iran
- Department of Tissue Engineering and Applied Cell Sciences, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1983963113, Iran
- Research and Development Team, Evolution Wound Dressing (EWD) Startup Co., Tehran 1983963113, Iran
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