Epidermal Growth Factor in Aesthetics and Regenerative Medicine: Systematic Review

Recombinant human epidermal growth factor-loaded liposomes and transferosomes for dermal delivery: Development, characterization, and cytotoxicity evaluation

Recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) is widely utilized as an antiaging compound in wound-healing therapies and cosmetic purposes. However, topical administration of rhEGF has limited treatment outcomes because of its poor percutaneous penetration and rapid proteinase degradation. To overcome these obstacles, this study aims to develop and characterize rhEGF-containing conventional liposomes (rhEGF-CLs) and transferosomes (rhEGF-TFs) as efficient dermal carriers. Physicochemical characterization such as particle size, zeta potential (ZP), morphology, encapsulation efficiency (EE%), and release properties of nanocarriers as well as in vitro cytotoxicity in human dermal fibroblast (HDF) and human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cell lines were investigated. rhEGF-TFs at the rhEGF concentration ranging from 0.05 to 1.0 μg/mL were chosen as the optimum formulation due to the desired release profile, acceptable EE%, optimal cell proliferation, and minimal cytotoxicity compared to the control and free rhEGF. However, higher concentrations caused a decrease in cell viability. The ratio 20:80 of Tween 80 to lipid was optimal for rhEGF-TFs-2, which had an average diameter of 233.23 ± 2.64 nm, polydispersity index of 0.33 ± 0.05, ZP of -15.46 ± 0.29 mV, and EE% of 60.50 ± 1.91. The formulations remained stable at 5°C for at least 1 month. TEM and SEM microscopy revealed that rhEGF-TFs-2 had a regular shape and unilamellar structure. In vitro drug release studies confirmed the superiority of rhEGF-TFs-2 in terms of optimal cumulative release of rhEGF approximately 82% within 24 h. Franz diffusion cell study showed higher rhEGF-TFs-2 skin permeation compared to free rhEGF solution. Taken together, we concluded that rhEGF-TFs can be used as a promising formulation for wound healing and skin regeneration products.

Potential Utilisation of Secretome from Ascorbic Acid-Supplemented Stem Cells in Combating Skin Aging: Systematic Review of A Novel Idea

The secretome of stem cells consists of a spectrum of bioactive factors secreted by stem cells grown in culture mediacytokines, chemokines, and growth factors in addition to extracellular vesicles (exosomes and microvesicles). Ease of handling and storage of secretomes along with their bioactivity towards processes in skin aging and customizability makes them an appealing prospective therapy for skin aging. This systematic review aims to investigate the potential usage of ascorbic acid (AA)-supplemented stem cell secretomes (SCS) in managing skin aging. We extracted articles from three databases: PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane. This review includes in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies published in English that discuss the correlation of AA-supplemented-SCS with skin aging. We identified 1111 articles from database and non-database sources from which nine studies met the inclusion criteria. However, the study results were less specific due to the limited amount of available research that specifically assessed the effects of AAsupplemented SCS in skin aging. Although further studies are necessary, the AA modification of SCS is a promising potential for improving skin health.

EGF, a veteran of wound healing: highlights on its mode of action, clinical applications with focus on wound treatment, and recent drug delivery strategies

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) has been used in wound management and regenerative medicine since the late 1980s. It has been widely utilized for a long time and still is because of its excellent tolerability and efficacy. EGF has many applications in tissue engineering, cancer therapy, lung diseases, gastric ulcers, and wound healing. Nevertheless, its in vivo and during storage stability is a primary concern. This review focuses on the topical use of EGF, especially in chronic wound healing, the emerging use of biomaterials to deliver it, and future research possibilities. To successfully deliver EGF to wounds, a delivery system that is proteolytically resistant and stable over the long term is required. Biomaterials are an area of interest for the development of such systems. These systems may be used in non-healing wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers, pressure ulcers, and burns. In these pathologies, EGF can reduce the risk of amputation of the lower extremities, as it accelerates the wound healing process. Furthermore, appropriate delivery system would also stabilize and control the EGF release profile in a wound. Several in vitro and in vivo studies have already proven the efficacy of such systems in the above-mentioned types of wounds. Moreover, several formulations such as ointments and intralesional injections are already available on the market. However, these products are still problematic in terms of inadequate diffusion of EGF, low bioavailability storage conditions, and shelf-life. This review discusses the nano formulations comprising biomaterials infused with EGF which could be a promising delivery system for chronic wound healing in the future.

Efficacy Comparison Study of Human Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) between Heberprot-P® and Easyef® in Adult Zebrafish and Embryo under Presence or Absence Combination of Diabetic Condition and Hyperlipidemia to Mimic Elderly Patients

Recombinant human epidermal growth factor (EGF) has been used to treat adult diabetic foot ulcers and pediatric burns by facilitating wound healing and epithelization, especially for elderly patients. Several formulation types of EGF from different expression hosts are clinically available, such as intralesional injection and topical application. On the other hand, no study has compared the in vivo efficacy of EGF products directly in terms of tissue regeneration and wound healing activity. The present study compared two commercial products, Heberprot-P75® and Easyef®, in terms of their tissue regeneration activity in adult zebrafish and the developmental speed of zebrafish embryos. Fluorescence spectroscopy showed that the two EGF products had different Trp fluorescence emission spectra: Easyef® showed a wavelength of maximum fluorescence (WMF) of 337 nm with weak fluorescence intensity (FI), while Heberprot-P75® showed WMF of 349 nm with a 4.1 times stronger FI than that of Easyef®. The WMF of Heberprot-P75® was quenched by adding singlet oxygen in ozonated oil, while the WMF of Easyef® was not quenched. Treatment with Heberprot-P75® induced greater embryo development speed with a higher survival rate after exposure to EGF in water and microinjection into embryos. Under normal diet (ND) consumption, Heberprot-P75® showed a 1.4 times higher tail fin regeneration activity than Easyef® during seven days from the intraperitoneal injection (10 μL, 50 μg/mL) after amputating the tail fin. Under ND consumption and diabetic condition caused by streptozotocin (STZ) treatment, Heberprot-P75® showed 2.1 times higher tail fin regeneration activity than Easyef® from the same injection and amputation protocol. Under a high-cholesterol diet (HCD) alone, Heberprot-P75® showed 1.2 times higher tail fin regeneration activity than the Easyef® group and PBS group from the same injection and amputation. Under diabetic conditions (STZ-injected) and HCD consumption, the Heberprot-P75® group showed 1.7 and 1.5 times higher tail fin regeneration activity than the Easyef® group and PBS group, respectively, with a distinct and clean regeneration pattern. In contrast, the Easyef® group and PBS group showed ambiguous regeneration patterns with a severe fissure of the tail fin, which is a typical symptom of a diabetic foot. In conclusion, Heberprot-P75® and Easyef® have different Trp fluorescence properties in terms of the WMF and fluorescence quenching. Treatment of Heberprot-P75® induced a greater developmental speed of zebrafish embryos in both water exposure and microinjection. Heberprot-P75® induced significantly higher wound healing and tissue regeneration activity than Easyef® and PBS in the presence or absence of diabetic conditions and cholesterol supplementation.