Glycyrrhetinic Acid Liposomes and Hyalurosomes on Spanish Broom, Flax, and Hemp Dressings to Heal Skin Wounds

A promising eco-sustainable wound dressing based on cellulose extracted from Spartium junceum L. and impregnated with Glycyrrhiza glabra L extract: Design, production and biological properties

Glycyrrhiza glabra extract is widely known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and can improve the wound healing process. The aim of this work was to shorten the time of the healing process by using an eco-sustainable wound dressing based on Spanish broom flexible cellulosic fabric by impregnation with G. glabra extract-loaded ethosomes. Chemical analysis of G. glabra extract was performed by LC-DAD-MS/MS and its encapsulation into ethosomes was obtained using the ethanol injection method. Lipid vesicles were characterized in terms of size, polydispersity index, entrapment efficiency, zeta potential, and stability. In vitro release studies, biocompatibility, and scratch test on 3T3 fibroblasts were performed. Moreover, the structure of Spanish broom dressing and its ability to absorb wound exudate was characterized by Synchrotron X-ray phase contrast microtomography (SR-PCmicroCT). Ethosomes showed a good entrapment efficiency, nanometric size, good stability over time and a slow release of polyphenols compared to the free extract, and were not cytotoxic. Lastly, the results revealed that Spanish broom wound dressing loaded with G. glabra ethosomes is able to accelerate wound closure by reducing wound healing time. To sum up, Spanish broom wound dressing could be a potential new green tool for biomedical applications.

Azithromycin-loaded liposomes and niosomes for the treatment of skin infections: Influence of excipients and preparative methods on the functional properties

The aim of this study was to develop azithromycin (AZT)-loaded liposomes (LP) and niosomes (NS) useful for the treatment of bacterial skin infections and acne. LP based on phosphatidylcholine from egg yolk (EPC) or from soybean lecithin (SPC), and NS composed of sorbitan monopalmitate (Span 40) or sorbitan monostearate (Span 60) were prepared through the thin film hydration (TFH) and the ethanol injection (EI) methods. The formulations were subsequently characterized for their physico-chemical and functional properties. Vesicles prepared through TFH showed higher average sizes than the corresponding formulations obtained by EI. All the vesicles presented adequate encapsulation efficiency and a negative ζ potential, which assured good stability during the storage period (except for LP-SPC). Formulations prepared with TFH showed a more prolonged AZT release than those prepared through EI, due to their lower surface area and multilamellar structure, as confirmed by atomic force microscopy nanomechanical characterization. Finally, among all the formulations, NS-Span 40-TFH and LP-EPC-TFH allowed the highest drug accumulation in the skin, retained the antimicrobial activity and did not alter fibroblast metabolism and viability. Overall, they could ensure to minimize the dosing and the administration frequency, thus representing promising candidates for the treatment of bacterial skin infections and acne.

A Cocktail-Based Formula for the Design of Nanosized Cosmeceuticals as Skincare and Anti-Age Products

Nasco and Bovale grape pomace extracts, alone or in association, were loaded in nanoemulsions tailored for cosmetic application, using Kolliphor®RH40 (kolliphor) as the synthetic surfactant, Olivem®1000 (olivem) as the natural one, and lecithin as the cosurfactant. Pink transparent or milky dispersions, as a function of the used extract and surfactant, were obtained to be used as cosmeceutical serum or milk. The sizes of the nanoemulsion droplets were small (≈77 nm with kolliphor and ≈141 nm with olivem), homogenously dispersed (~0.24 with kolliphor and ~0.16 with olivem), highly negatively charged (≈-43 mV irrespective of the used surfactant) and their stability either on storage or under stressing conditions was affected by the used extract and surfactant. Formulations protected the extracts from the degradation caused by UV exposition, were biocompatible against keratinocytes, protected them against oxidative damages induced using hydrogen peroxide and inhibited the release of nitrite induced in macrophages using the lipopolysaccharide inflammatory stimulus. The overall results underlined the key role played by the composition of the formula to achieve a suitable cosmeceutical for skin care but even for the prevention of premature aging and chronic damages caused by the stressing conditions.

Helwah MK, Noureldin MH, Abbas H. Dual-effects of caffeinated hyalurosomes as a nano-cosmeceutical gel counteracting UV-induced skin ageing

Caffeine (CAF) is a challenging natural bioactive compound with proven antiaging efficacy. However, being hydrophilic hampers its permeation through the skin. Our aim is to develop a novel CAF-loaded nano-cosmeceutical tool counteracting skin photoaging via improving CAF skin permeation using a bioactive nanocarrier. Caffeinated hyalurosomes are novel biocompatible antiaging nanoplatforms designed by immobilization of phospholipid vesicles with a hyaluronan polymer. Physicochemical properties of the selected hyalurosomes formulation showed nano-sized vesicles (210.10 ± 1.87 nm), with high zeta potential (-31.30 ± 1.19 mv), and high encapsulation efficiency (84.60 ± 1.05%). In vitro release results showed outstanding sustained release profile from caffeinated hyalurosomes compared to the CAF-loaded in conventional gel over 24 h. The in-vivo study revealed a photoprotective effect of caffeinated hyalurosomes, reflected from the intact and wrinkling-free skin. Results of biochemical analyses of oxidative stress, pro-inflammatory mediators, and anti-wrinkling markers further confirmed the efficacy of the prepared hyalurosomes compared to the CAF conventional gel. Finally, histopathological examination demonstrated normal histological structures of epidermal layers with minimal inflammatory cell infiltrates in the caffeinated hyalurosomes group compared to the positive control group. Conclusively, caffeinated hyalurosomes successfully achieved enhanced CAF loading and penetration into the skin besides the hydration effect of hyaluronan. Consequently, the developed delivery system presents a promising skin protection nano-platforms via the double effects of both hyaluronan and CAF, hence it guards against skin photodamage.

Formulation and Testing of Antioxidant and Protective Effect of Hyalurosomes Loading Extract Rich in Rosmarinic Acid Biotechnologically Produced from Lavandula angustifolia Miller

Culture of plant cells or tissues is a scalable, sustainable, and environmentally friendly approach to obtain extracts and secondary metabolites of uniform quality that can be continuously supplied in controlled conditions, independent of geographical and seasonal variations, environmental factors, and negative biological influences. In addition, tissues and cells can be extracted/obtained from the by-products of other industrial cultivations such as that of Lavandula angustifolia Miller (L. angustifolia), which is largely cultivated for the collection of flowers. Given that, an extract rich in rosmarinic acid was biotechnologically produced starting from cell suspension of L. angustifolia, which was then loaded in hyalurosomes, special phospholipid vesicles enriched with sodium hyaluronate, which in turn are capable of both immobilizing and stabilizing the system. These vesicles have demonstrated to be good candidates for skin delivery as their high viscosity favors their residence at the application site, thus promoting their interaction with the skin components. The main physico-chemical and technological characteristics of vesicles (i.e., mean diameter, polydispersity index, zeta potential and entrapment efficiency of extract in vesicles) were measured along with their biological properties in vitro: biocompatibility against fibroblasts and ability to protect the cells from oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide. Overall, preliminary results disclosed the promising properties of obtained formulations to be used for the treatment of skin diseases associated with oxidative stress and inflammation.

The Optimized Delivery of Triterpenes by Liposomal Nanoformulations: Overcoming the Challenges

The last decade has witnessed a sustained increase in the research development of modern-day chemo-therapeutics, especially for those used for high mortality rate pathologies. However, the therapeutic landscape is continuously changing as a result of the currently existing toxic side effects induced by a substantial range of drug classes. One growing research direction driven to mitigate such inconveniences has converged towards the study of natural molecules for their promising therapeutic potential. Triterpenes are one such class of compounds, intensively investigated for their therapeutic versatility. Although the pharmacological effects reported for several representatives of this class has come as a well-deserved encouragement, the pharmacokinetic profile of these molecules has turned out to be an unwelcomed disappointment. Nevertheless, the light at the end of the tunnel arrived with the development of nanotechnology, more specifically, the use of liposomes as drug delivery systems. Liposomes are easily synthesizable phospholipid-based vesicles, with highly tunable surfaces, that have the ability to transport both hydrophilic and lipophilic structures ensuring superior drug bioavailability at the action site as well as an increased selectivity. This study aims to report the results related to the development of different types of liposomes, used as targeted vectors for the delivery of various triterpenes of high pharmacological interest.

Canthaxanthin Biofabrication, Loading in Green Phospholipid Vesicles and Evaluation of In Vitro Protection of Cells and Promotion of Their Monolayer Regeneration

In the present study, canthaxanthin was produced by biofermentation from Dietzia natronolimnaea HS-1 (D. natronolimnaea) and was loaded in phospholipid vesicles prepared with natural component using an easy and low dissipative method. Indeed, glycerosomes, hyalurosomes, and glycerohyalurosomes were prepared by direct hydration of both phosphatidylcholine and the biotechnological canthaxanthin, avoiding the use of organic solvents. Vesicles were sized from 63 nm to 87 nm and highly negatively charged. They entrapped a high number of the biomolecules and were stable on storage. Canthaxanthin-loaded vesicles incubated with fibroblasts did not affect their viability, proving to be highly biocompatible and capable of inhibiting the death of fibroblasts stressed with hydrogen peroxide. They reduced the nitric oxide expression in macrophages treated with lipopolysaccharides. Moreover, they favoured the cell migration in an in vitro lesion model. Results confirmed the health-promoting potential of canthaxanthin in skin cells, which is potentiated by its suitable loading in phospholipid vesicles, thus suggesting the possible use of these natural bioformulations in both skin protection and regeneration, thanks to the potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiageing effects of canthaxanthin.

Comprehensive review on use of phospholipid based vesicles for phytoactive delivery

Plant-derived phytoconstituents are well known for their therapeutic potential. It has been experimentally demonstrated that whole-plant extract or isolated phytoconstituents reveal various therapeutic potentials like hepatoprotective, antimicrobial, neuroprotective, antitumor, antioxidant, skin protectives, etc. Although these phytoconstituents have potential therapeutic benefits, their use is limited due to their poor bioavailability, stability in biological fluids, and authentication issues. These continue to be an open problem that affects the application of these valuable ancient herbal herbs in the effective treatment and management of various disease conditions. A potential solution to these difficult problems could be the loading of phytoactives in phospholipid-based vesicular systems. Phospholipid-based vesicles like liposomes, phytosomes, ethosomes as well as transfersomes were effectively utilized recently to solve drawbacks and for effective delivery of phytoactives. Several landmark studies observed better therapeutic efficacy of phytoactive loaded vesicles compared to conventional drug delivery. Thus phospholipid-based vesicles mediated phytoactive delivery is a recently developed promising and attractive strategy for better therapeutic control on disease conditions. The present short review highlights recent advances in herbal bioactive loaded phospholipid-based vesicles.

Development of Spanish Broom and Flax Dressings with Glycyrrhetinic Acid-Loaded Films for Wound Healing: Characterization and Evaluation of Biological Properties

The selection of an appropriate dressing for each type of wound is a very important procedure for a faster and more accurate healing process. So, the aim of this study was to develop innovative Spanish Broom and flax wound dressings, as alternatives to cotton used as control, with polymeric films containing glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) to promote wound-exudate absorption and the healing process. The different wound dressings were prepared by a solvent casting method, and characterized in terms of drug loading, water uptake, and in vitro release. Moreover, biological studies were performed to evaluate their biocompatibility and wound-healing efficacy. Comparing the developed wound dressings, Spanish Broom dressings with GA-loaded sodium hyaluronate film had the best functional properties, in terms of hydration ability and GA release. Moreover, they showed a good biocompatibility, determining a moderate induction of cell proliferation and no cytotoxicity. In addition, the wound-healing test revealed that the Spanish Broom dressings promoted cell migration, further facilitating the closure of the wound.

Lactobacillus crispatus BC1 Biosurfactant Delivered by Hyalurosomes: An Advanced Strategy to Counteract Candida Biofilm

The emergence of resistance to antifungal drugs has made the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) very challenging. Among natural substances, biosurfactants (BS) produced by Lactobacillus have gained increasing interest in counteracting Candida infections for their proven anti-adhesive properties and safety profile. In the present study, liposomes (LP-BS) or liposomes coated with hyaluronic acid (HY-LP-BS) were prepared in the presence of the BS isolated from the vaginal strain Lactobacillus crispatus BC1 and characterized in terms of size, ζ potential, stability and mucoadhesion. The anti-biofilm activity of free BS, LP-BS and HY-LP-BS was investigated against different Candida albicans and non-albicans strains (C. glabrata, C. lusitaniae, C. tropicalis, C. krusei and C. parapsilosis), clinically isolated from patients affected by VVC. The inhibition of biofilm formation and the dispersal of pre-formed biofilm were evaluated. The obtained phospholipid vesicles showed suitable size for vaginal application and good stability over the storage period. HY-LP-BS exhibited good mucoadhesive properties and the best anti-biofilm profile, both in preventing or limiting the surface colonization by a broad spectrum of Candida species. In conclusion, the formulation of a novel antifungal agent derived from the vaginal microbiota into mucoadhesive nanocarriers appears to be a promising biotherapeutic strategy to counteract vulvovaginal candidiasis.