Systematic Development and Characterization of Novel, High Drug-Loaded, Photostable, Curcumin Solid Lipid Nanoparticle Hydrogel for Wound Healing

Dopamine- and Grape-Seed-Extract-Loaded Solid Lipid Nanoparticles: Interaction Studies between Particles and Differentiated SH-SY5Y Neuronal Cell Model of Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative disorder, primarily associated with dopaminergic neuron depletion in the Substantia Nigra. Current treatment focuses on compensating for dopamine (DA) deficiency, but the blood-brain barrier (BBB) poses challenges for effective drug delivery. Using differentiated SH-SY5Y cells, we investigated the co-administration of DA and the antioxidant Grape Seed Extract (GSE) to study the cytobiocompability, the cytoprotection against the neurotoxin Rotenone, and their antioxidant effects. For this purpose, two solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) formulations, DA-co-GSE-SLNs and GSE-ads-DA-SLNs, were synthesized. Such SLNs showed mean particle sizes in the range of 187-297 nm, zeta potential values in the range of -4.1--9.7 mV, and DA association efficiencies ranging from 35 to 82%, according to the formulation examined. The results showed that DA/GSE-SLNs did not alter cell viability and had a cytoprotective effect against Rotenone-induced toxicity and oxidative stress. In addition, this study also focused on the evaluation of Alpha-synuclein (aS) levels; SLNs showed the potential to modulate the Rotenone-mediated increase in aS levels. In conclusion, our study investigated the potential of SLNs as a delivery system for addressing PD, also representing a promising approach for enhanced delivery of pharmaceutical and antioxidant molecules across the BBB.

Wondrous Yellow Molecule: Are Hydrogels a Successful Strategy to Overcome the Limitations of Curcumin?

Curcumin is a natural compound with a great pharmaceutical potential that involves anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective activity. Unfortunately, its low bioavailability, instability, and poor water solubility significantly deteriorate its clinical use. Many attempts have been made to overcome this issue, and encapsulating curcumin in a hydrogel matrix may improve those properties. Hydrogel formulation is used in many drug delivery forms, including classic types and novel forms such as self-assembly systems or responsive to external factors. Reviewed studies confirmed better properties of hydrogel-stabilized curcumin in comparison to pure compound. The main enhanced characteristics were chemical stability, bioavailability, and water solubility, which enabled these systems to be tested for various diseases. These formulations were evaluated for wound healing properties, effectiveness in treating skin diseases, and anticancer and regenerative activity. Hydrogel formulation significantly improved biopharmaceutical properties, opening the opportunity to finally see curcumin as a clinically approved substance and unravel its therapeutic potential.

Optimizing Nanosuspension Drug Release and Wound Healing Using a Design of Experiments Approach: Improving the Drug Delivery Potential of NDH-4338 for Treating Chemical Burns

NDH-4338 is a highly lipophilic prodrug comprising indomethacin and an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. A design of experiments approach was used to synthesize, characterize, and evaluate the wound healing efficacy of optimized NDH-4338 nanosuspensions against nitrogen mustard-induced skin injury. Nanosuspensions were prepared by sonoprecipitation in the presence of a Vitamin E TPGS aqueous stabilizer solution. Critical processing parameters and material attributes were optimized to reduce particle size and determine the effect on dissolution rate and burn healing efficacy. The antisolvent/solvent ratio (A/S), dose concentration (DC), and drug/stabilizer ratio (D/S) were the critical sonoprecipitation factors that control particle size. These factors were subjected to a Box-Behnken design and response surface analysis, and model quality was assessed. Maximize desirability and simulation experiment optimization approaches were used to determine nanosuspension parameters with the smallest size and the lowest defect rate within the 10-50 nm specification limits. Optimized and unoptimized nanosuspensions were prepared and characterized. An established depilatory double-disc mouse model was used to evaluate the healing of nitrogen mustard-induced dermal injuries. Optimized nanosuspensions (A/S = 6.2, DC = 2% w/v, D/S = 2.8) achieved a particle size of 31.46 nm with a narrow size range (PDI = 0.110) and a reduced defect rate (42.2 to 6.1%). The optimized nanosuspensions were stable and re-dispersible, and they showed a ~45% increase in cumulative drug release and significant edema reduction in mice. Optimized NDH-4338 nanosuspensions were smaller with more uniform sizes that led to improved physical stability, faster dissolution, and enhanced burn healing efficacy compared to unoptimized nanosuspensions.

A Comprehensive Review on Novel Lipid-Based Nano Drug Delivery

Novel drug delivery system opens the doors towards nano/micro formulation strategies to overcome the challenges associated with the poorly soluble and permeable drugs. Lipid based nanoparticles are widely accepted that includes liposomes, niosomes and micelles which are FDA approved. Such lipid based drug delivery allows delivery for natural phytoconstituents, biopharmaceutical classification system (BCS) class II and class IV drugs are effectively delivered to improve its solubility, permeability and bioavailability. The article provides the recent advances and application of lipid based dosage form for improvement of therapeutic efficacy.

Progress in the application of nanoparticles for the treatment of fungal infections: A review

The burden of fungal infections on human health is increasing worldwide. Aspergillus, Candida, and Cryptococcus are the top three human pathogenic fungi that are responsible for over 90% of infection-related deaths. Moreover, effective antifungal therapeutics are lacking, primarily due to host toxicity, pathogen resistance, and immunodeficiency. In recent years, nanomaterials have proved not only to be more efficient antifungal therapeutic agents but also to overcome resistance against fungal medication. This review will examine the limitations of standard antifungal therapy as well as focus on the development of nanomaterials.

Multifunctional lipid-based nanoparticles for wound healing and antibacterial applications: A review

Wound healing primarily involves preventing severe infections, accelerating healing, and reducing pain and scarring. Therefore, the multifunctional application of lipid-based nanoparticles (LBNs) has received considerable attention in drug discovery due to their solid or liquid lipid core, which increases their ability to provide prolonged drug release, reduce treatment costs, and improve patient compliance. LBNs have also been used in medical and cosmetic practices and formulated for various products based on skin type, disease conditions, administration product costs, efficiency, stability, and toxicity; therefore, understanding their interaction with biological systems is very important. Therefore, it is necessary to perform an in-depth analysis of the results from a comprehensive characterization process to produce lipid-based drug delivery systems with desired properties. This review will provide detailed information on the different types of LBNs, their formulation methods, characterisation, antimicrobial activity, and application in various wound models (both in vitro and in vivo studies). Also, the clinical and commercial applications of LBNs are summarized.

Glycerospanlastics: State-of-the-art two-in-one nano-vesicles for boosting ear drug delivery in otitis media treatment

The purpose of this research was to design innovative nanovesicles for ototopical conveyance of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) for otitis media (OM) treatment via incorporating glycerol into nanospanlastics to be termed "Glycerospanlastics". The glycerospanlastics were formulated employing ethanol injection procedure, and central composite design (CCD) was harnessed for optimization of the vesicles. Various attributes of the nanovesicles, viz. particle size distribution, surface charge, TA entrapment efficiency, morphology as well as ex-vivo permeation across the tympanic membrane (TM) were characterized. In vivo implementation of the optimized glycerospanlastics loaded with TA was appraised in OM-induced rats via histopathological and biochemical measurements of the tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) levels in ear homogenates. The safety and tolerability of optimized TA glycerospanlastics was also investigated in non-OM induced animals. The results demonstrated that the optimized TA-glycerospanlastics were in a nanometer range (around 200 nm) with negative charges, high TA entrapment (>85%), good storage properties and better TM permeation relative to TA suspension. More importantly, TA-glycerospanlastics performed better than marketed drug suspension in OM treatment as manifested by restoration of histopathological alterations in TM and lowered values of IL-1β and TNF-α. Glycerospanlastics could be promising safe ototopical nanoplatforms for OM treatment and other middle ear disorders.

Sustainable, economical and rapid treatment of multiple lung diseases using therapeutic potential of curcumin nanoparticles

The study was designed to prepare pure curcumin nanoparticles in rapid and simple way for target specific drug delivery to kill bacteria lying deep down within the alveoli of lungs via inhaler. Three different methods including evaporation precipitation of nanosuspension (ENP), solid dispersion (SD) and anti-solvent precipitation (ASP) were selected to prepare nanocurcumin in pure form in very simple way. This was done to compare their efficiency in terms of particle size obtained and water solubility and bacterial toxicity of as prepared curcumin nanoparticles. In this comparative study, curcumin NPs obtained from three different methods having particles size 65.3 nm, 98.7 nm and 47.4 nm respectively. The NPs were characterized using various techniques like SEM, XRD, UV-Visible and FTIR for their particle size determination and solubility evaluation. These particles were screened off against five bacterial strains causing lung diseases. AB3 prepared by ASP method, being smallest sized nanostructures, showed maximum solubility in water. These nanoparticles can be used as drug directly via inhaler to the target area without using any support or nano-carrier. In this way minimum dose formulation is required to target bacteria.

Nanocurcumin and viable Lactobacillus plantarum based sponge dressing for skin wound healing

Curcumin loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (CSLNs) and probiotic (Lactobacillus plantarum UBLP-40; L. plantarum) were currently co-incorporated into a wound dressing. The combination with manifold anti-inflammatory, anti-infective, analgesic, and antioxidant properties of both curcumin and L. plantarum will better manage complex healing process. Recent reports indicate that polyphenolics like curcumin improve probiotic effects. Curcumin was nanoencapsulated (CSLNs) to improve its bioprofile and achieve controlled release on the wound bed. Bacteriotherapy (probiotic) is established to promote wound healing via antimicrobial activity, inhibition of pathogenic toxins, immunomodulation, and anti-inflammatory actions. Combination of CSLNs with probiotic enhanced (560%) its antimicrobial effects against planktonic cells and biofilms of skin pathogen, Staphylococcus aureus 9144. The sterile dressing was devised with selected polymers, and optimized for polymer concentration, and dressing characteristics using a central composite design. It exhibited a swelling ratio of 412 ± 36%, in vitro degradation time of 3 h, optimal water vapor transmission rate of 1516.81 ± 155.25 g/m2/day, high tensile strength, low-blood clotting index, case II transport, and controlled release of curcumin. XRD indicated strong interaction between employed polymers. FESEM revealed a porous sponge like meshwork embedded with L. plantarum and CSLNs. It degraded and released L. plantarum, which germinated in the wound bed. The sponge was stable under refrigerated conditions for up to six months. No translocation of probiotic from wound to the internal organs confirmed safety. The dressing exhibited faster wound closure and lowered bioburden in the wound area in mice. This was coupled with a decrease in TNF-α, MMP-9, and LPO levels; and an increase in VEGF, TGF-β, and antioxidant enzymes such as catalase and GSH, establishing multiple healing pathways. Results were compared with CSLNs and probiotic-alone dressings. The dressing was as effective as the silver nanoparticle-based marketed hydrogel dressing; however, the cost and risk of developing resistance would be much lower currently.

The Use of Hydrogel Dressings in Sulfur Mustard-Induced Skin and Ocular Wound Management

Over one century after its first military use on the battlefield, sulfur mustard (SM) remains a threatening agent. Due to the absence of an antidote and specific treatment, the management of SM-induced lesions, particularly on the skin and eyes, still represents a challenge. Current therapeutic management is mainly limited to symptomatic and supportive care, pain relief, and prevention of infectious complications. New strategies are needed to accelerate healing and optimize the repair of the function and appearance of damaged tissues. Hydrogels have been shown to be suitable for healing severe burn wounds. Because the same gravity of lesions is observed in SM victims, hydrogels could be relevant dressings to improve wound healing of SM-induced skin and ocular injuries. In this article, we review how hydrogel dressings may be beneficial for improving the wound healing of SM-induced injuries, with special emphasis placed on their suitability as drug delivery devices on SM-induced skin and ocular lesions.

Attachment characteristics and kinetics of biofilm formation by Staphylococcus aureus on ready-to-eat cooked beef contact surfaces

Staphylococcus aureus is a food-borne pathogen that quickly forms biofilm on meat contact surfaces and thus poses a serious threat to the safety of the meat industry. This study evaluated the attachment, survival, and growth of S. aureus biofilm with exposure to environmental factors in the meat industry by simulated ready-to-eat (RTE) cooked beef product contamination scenarios. The results indicated that the meat-borne S. aureus biofilm formation dynamic could be divided into four different phases: initial adhesion (4-12 h), exponential (12-24 h), slow growth (1-3 days), and stationary (3-7 days). Meat-borne S. aureus has strong adhesion and biofilm formation ability, and its biofilm exhibits persistence, high-intensity metabolic activity, aerotaxis, and strain heterogeneity. This study has also demonstrated that in the long-term existence of meat-borne S. aureus biofilm on stainless steel and plexiglass surfaces (>7 days, 7.2-8.8 log CFU/cm² ), expose to RTE cooked beef products, may cause it to become high-risk contaminated food. Meat-borne S. aureus that forms a dense and rough concave-convex in the shape of biofilm architecture was observed by scanning electron microscopy, consisting of complex components and adhesion of living and dead cells. This was further confirmed by the meat-borne S. aureus biofilm on the stainless steel surface by attenuated total reflectance Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, and the dominant peaks in biofilm spectra were mainly associated with proteins, polysaccharides, amino acid residues, and phospholipids (>50%). These findings may help in the identification of the main sources of contamination within the meat industry and the subsequent establishment of strategies for biofilm prevention and removal. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: This study revealed the meat-borne S. aureus biofilm formation mechanism and found that it exhibited strong colonization and biofilm-forming ability, which can persist on the contact surfaces of ready-to-eat beef products. These initial findings could provide information on the behavior of meat-borne S. aureus biofilm attached to meat contact surfaces under conditions commonly encountered in meat environments, which help to support the determination of the main sources of contamination within the meat industry and the subsequent establishment of strategies for biofilm prevention and removal. It was also helpful in controlling biofilm contamination and improving meat safety to minimize it.

Improved anticancer efficacy of methyl pyropheophorbide-a-incorporated solid lipid nanoparticles in photodynamic therapy

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising anticancer treatment because it is patient-friendly and non-invasive. Methyl pyropheophorbide-a (MPPa), one of the chlorin class photosensitizers, is a drug with poor aqueous solubility. The purpose of this study was to synthesize MPPa and develop MPPa-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) with improved solubility and PDT efficacy. The synthesized MPPa was confirmed ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H-NMR) spectroscopy and UV-Vis spectroscopy. MPPa was encapsulated in SLN via a hot homogenization with sonication. Particle characterization was performed using particle size and zeta potential measurements. The pharmacological effect of MPPa was evaluated using the 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran (DPBF) assay and anti-cancer effect against HeLa and A549 cell lines. The particle size and zeta potential ranged from 231.37 to 424.07 nm and - 17.37 to - 24.20 mV, respectively. MPPa showed sustained release from MPPa-loaded SLNs. All formulations improved the photostability of MPPa. The DPBF assay showed that SLNs enhanced the ¹O₂ generation from MPPa. In the photocytotoxicity analysis, MPPa-loaded SLNs demonstrated cytotoxicity upon photoirradiation but not in the dark. The PDT efficacy of MPPa improved following its entrapment in SLNs. This observation suggests that MPPa-loaded SLNs are suitable for the enhanced permeability and retention effect. Together, these results demonstrate that the developed MPPa-loaded SLNs are promising candidates for cancer treatment using PDT.

Multifunctional Extracellular Matrix Hydrogel with Self-Healing Properties and Promoting Angiogenesis as an Immunoregulation Platform for Diabetic Wound Healing

Treating chronic wounds is a global challenge. In diabetes mellitus cases, long-time and excess inflammatory responses at the injury site may delay the healing of intractable wounds. Macrophage polarization (M1/M2 types) can be closely associated with inflammatory factor generation during wound healing. Quercetin (QCT) is an efficient agent against oxidation and fibrosis that promotes wound healing. It can also inhibit inflammatory responses by regulating M1-to-M2 macrophage polarization. However, its limited solubility, low bioavailability, and hydrophobicity are the main issues restricting its applicability in wound healing. The small intestinal submucosa (SIS) has also been widely studied for treating acute/chronic wounds. It is also being extensively researched as a suitable carrier for tissue regeneration. As an extracellular matrix, SIS can support angiogenesis, cell migration, and proliferation, offering growth factors involved in tissue formation signaling and assisting wound healing. We developed a series of promising biosafe novel diabetic wound repair hydrogel wound dressings with several effects, including self-healing properties, water absorption, and immunomodulatory effects. A full-thickness wound diabetic rat model was constructed for in vivo assessment of QCT@SIS hydrogel, in which hydrogels achieved a markedly increased wound repair rate. Their effect was determined by the promotion of the wound healing process, the thickness of granulation tissue, vascularization, and macrophage polarization during wound healing. At the same time, we injected the hydrogel subcutaneously into healthy rats to perform histological analyses of sections of the heart, spleen, liver, kidney, and lung. We then tested the biochemical index levels in serum to determine the biological safety of the QCT@SIS hydrogel. In this study, the developed SIS showed convergence of biological, mechanical, and wound-healing capabilities. Here, we focused on constructing a self-healing, water-absorbable, immunomodulatory, and biocompatible hydrogel as a synergistic treatment paradigm for diabetic wounds by gelling the SIS and loading QCT for slow drug release.

An injectable elastic hydrogel crosslinked with curcumin-gelatin nanoparticles as a multifunctional dressing for the rapid repair of bacterially infected wounds

Injectable self-healing hydrogel dressings with excellent elasticity and multifunctional repair effects have been in high demand in wound healing applications, while maintaining stable elasticity in injectable multifunctional hydrogel dressings is still a challenge. Based on carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS), curcumin-gelatin nanoparticles (CG NPs), and sodium alginate oxide (OSA), we developed a double-crosslinking injectable elastic self-healing hydrogel without any chemical cross-linking agent as a multifunctional wound healing dressing. CG NPs were more stable than pure curcumin (Cur) nanoparticles and could regulate the cross-linking of injectable hydrogels for high elasticity and rapid self-healing. We found that the CG NPs endowed the injectable hydrogel with good anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and reactive oxygen scavenging activities and could significantly shorten the wound healing time in infected full-thickness skin defect rats by promoting the polarization of M2-type macrophages, reducing oxidative damage, accelerating collagen deposition, enhancing granulation formation, and elevating angiogenesis. Taken together, the tunable elastic injectable hydrogel dressing exhibited a long-term service life with sustained repair function and can be taken as an optimal candidate for bacteria-infected wound healing.

Next-Generation Hydrogels as Biomaterials for Biomedical Applications: Exploring the Role of Curcumin

Since the first report on the pharmacological activity of curcumin in 1949, enormous amounts of research have reported diverse activities for this natural polyphenol found in the dietary spice turmeric. However, curcumin has not yet been used for human application as an approved drug. The clinical translation of curcumin has been hampered due to its low solubility and bioavailability. The improvement in bioavailability and solubility of curcumin can be achieved by its formulation using drug delivery systems. Hydrogels with their biocompatibility and low toxicity effects have shown a substantial impact on the successful formulation of hydrophobic drugs for human clinical trials. This review focuses on hydrogel-based delivery systems for curcumin and describes its applications as anti-cancer as well as wound healing agents.

Status and Future Scope of Soft Nanoparticles-Based Hydrogel in Wound Healing

Wounds are alterations in skin integrity resulting from any type of trauma. The healing process is complex, involving inflammation and reactive oxygen species formation. Therapeutic approaches for the wound healing process are diverse, associating dressings and topical pharmacological agents with antiseptics, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial actions. Effective treatment must maintain occlusion and moisture in the wound site, suitable capacity for the absorption of exudates, gas exchange, and the release of bioactives, thus stimulating healing. However, conventional treatments have some limitations regarding the technological properties of formulations, such as sensory characteristics, ease of application, residence time, and low active penetration in the skin. Particularly, the available treatments may have low efficacy, unsatisfactory hemostatic performance, prolonged duration, and adverse effects. In this sense, there is significant growth in research focusing on improving the treatment of wounds. Thus, soft nanoparticles-based hydrogels emerge as promising alternatives to accelerate the healing process due to their improved rheological characteristics, increased occlusion and bioadhesiveness, greater skin permeation, controlled drug release, and a more pleasant sensory aspect in comparison to conventional forms. Soft nanoparticles are based on organic material from a natural or synthetic source and include liposomes, micelles, nanoemulsions, and polymeric nanoparticles. This scoping review describes and discusses the main advantages of soft nanoparticle-based hydrogels in the wound healing process. Herein, a state-of-the-art is presented by addressing general aspects of the healing process, current status and limitations of non-encapsulated drug-based hydrogels, and hydrogels formed by different polymers containing soft nanostructures for wound healing. Collectively, the presence of soft nanoparticles improved the performance of natural and synthetic bioactive compounds in hydrogels employed for wound healing, demonstrating the scientific advances obtained so far.

Solid Lipid Nanoparticles: Review of the Current Research on Encapsulation and Delivery Systems for Active and Antioxidant Compounds

Various active compounds are easily damaged, so they need protection and must be easily absorbed and targeted. This problem can be overcome by encapsulating in the form of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs). Initially, SLNs were widely used to encapsulate hydrophobic (non-polar) active compounds because of their matched affinity and interactions. Currently, SLNs are being widely used for the encapsulation of hydrophilic (polar) and semipolar active compounds, but there are challenges, including increasing their entrapment efficiency. This review provides information on current research on SLNs for encapsulation and delivery systems for active and antioxidant compounds, which includes various synthesis methods and applications of SLNs in various fields of utilization. SLNs can be developed starting from the selection of solid lipid matrices, emulsifiers/surfactants, types of active compounds or antioxidants, synthesis methods, and their applications or utilization. The type of lipid used determines crystal formation, control of active compound release, and encapsulation efficiency. Various methods can be used in the SLN fabrication of active compounds and hydrophilic/hydrophobic antioxidants, which have advantages and disadvantages. Fabrication design, which includes the selection of lipid matrices, surfactants, and fabrication methods, determines the characteristics of SLNs. High-shear homogenization combined with ultrasonication is the recommended method and has been widely used because of the ease of preparation and good results. Appropriate fabrication design can produce SLNs with stable active compounds and antioxidants that become suitable encapsulation systems for various applications or uses.

Combinational System of Lipid-Based Nanocarriers and Biodegradable Polymers for Wound Healing: An Updated Review

Skin wounds have imposed serious socioeconomic burdens on healthcare providers and patients. There are just more than 25,000 burn injury-related deaths reported each year. Conventional treatments do not often allow the re-establishment of the function of affected regions and structures, resulting in dehydration and wound infections. Many nanocarriers, such as lipid-based systems or biobased and biodegradable polymers and their associated platforms, are favorable in wound healing due to their ability to promote cell adhesion and migration, thus improving wound healing and reducing scarring. Hence, many researchers have focused on developing new wound dressings based on such compounds with desirable effects. However, when applied in wound healing, some problems occur, such as the high cost of public health, novel treatments emphasizing reduced healthcare costs, and increasing quality of treatment outcomes. The integrated hybrid systems of lipid-based nanocarriers (LNCs) and polymer-based systems can be promising as the solution for the above problems in the wound healing process. Furthermore, novel drug delivery systems showed more effective release of therapeutic agents, suitable mimicking of the physiological environment, and improvement in the function of the single system. This review highlights recent advances in lipid-based systems and the role of lipid-based carriers and biodegradable polymers in wound healing.

Injectable Nanomedicine-Hydrogel for NIR Light Photothermal-Chemo Combination Therapy of Tumor

Traditional hydrogels have drawbacks such as surgical implantation, large wound surfaces, and uncontrollable drug release during tumor treatment. In this paper, targeted nanomedicine has been combined with injectable hydrogel for photothermal-chemotherapy combination therapy. First, targeted nanomedicine (ICG-MTX) was fabricated by combining near-infrared (NIR) photothermal reagents (ICG) and chemotherapy drugs (MTX). The ICG-MTX was then mixed with the hydrogel precursor and radical initiator to obtain an injectable hydrogel precursor solution. Under the irradiation of NIR light, the precursor solution could release alkyl radicals, which promote the transition of the precursor solution from a liquid to a colloidal state. As a result, the nanomedicine could effectively remain at the site of the tumor and continue to be released from the hydrogel. Due to the targeted nature of MTX, the released ICG-MTX could target tumor cells and improve the accuracy of photothermal-chemo combination therapy. The results indicated that the injectable nanomedicine-hydrogel system has a favorable therapeutic effect on tumors.

Wound Healing and Antioxidant Properties of Launaea procumbens Supported by Metabolomic Profiling and Molecular Docking

Wounds adversely affect people’s quality of life and have psychological, social, and economic impacts. Herbal remedies of Launaea procumbens (LP) are used to treat wounds. In an excision wound model, topical application of LP significantly promoted wound closure (on day 14, LP-treated animals had the highest percentages of wound closure in comparison with the other groups, as the wound was entirely closed with a closure percentage of 100%, p < 0.05). Histological analysis revealed a considerable rise in the number of fibroblasts, the amount of collagen, and its cross-linking in LP-treated wounds. Gene expression patterns showed significant elevation of TGF-β levels (2.1-fold change after 7 days treatment and 2.7-fold change in 14 days treatment) and downregulation of the inflammatory TNF-α and IL-1β levels in LP-treated wounds. Regarding in vitro antioxidant activity, LP extract significantly diminished the formation of H2O2 radical (IC50 = 171.6 μg/mL) and scavenged the superoxide radical (IC50 of 286.7 µg/mL), indicating antioxidant potential in a dose-dependent manner. Dereplication of the secondary metabolites using LC-HRMS resulted in the annotation of 16 metabolites. The identified compounds were docked against important wound-healing targets, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), collagen α-1, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). Among dereplicated compounds, luteolin 8-C-glucoside (orientin) demonstrated binding potential to four investigated targets (VEGF, interleukin 1β, TNF-α, and collagen α-1). To conclude, Launaea procumbens extract could be regarded as a promising topical therapy to promote wound healing in excisional wounds, and luteolin 8-C-glucoside (orientin), one of its constituents, is a potential wound-healing drug lead.

Wound-Healing Effects of Curcumin and Its Nanoformulations: A Comprehensive Review

Wound healing is an intricate process of tissue repair or remodeling that occurs in response to injury. Plants and plant-derived bioactive constituents are well explored in the treatment of various types of wounds. Curcumin is a natural polyphenolic substance that has been used since ancient times in Ayurveda for its healing properties, as it reduces inflammation and acts on several healing stages. Several research studies for curcumin delivery at the wound site reported the effectiveness of curcumin in eradicating reactive oxygen species and its ability to enhance the deposition of collagen, granulation tissue formation, and finally, expedite wound contraction. Curcumin has been widely investigated for its wound healing potential but its lower solubility and rapid metabolism, in addition to its shorter plasma half-life, have limited its applications in wound healing. As nanotechnology has proven to be an effective technique to accelerate wound healing by stimulating appropriate mobility through various healing phases, curcumin-loaded nanocarriers are used for targeted delivery at the wound sites. This review highlights the potential of curcumin and its nanoformulations, such as liposomes, nanoparticles, and nano-emulsions, etc. in wound healing. This paper emphasizes the numerous biomedical applications of curcumin which collectively prepare a base for its antibiofilm and wound-healing action.

The Potential of Corchorus olitorius Seeds Buccal Films for Treatment of Recurrent Minor Aphthous Ulcerations in Human Volunteers

Aphthous ulcers are very common disorders among different age groups and are very noxious and painful. The incidence of aphthous ulcer recurrence is very high and it may even last for a maximum of 6 days and usually, patients cannot stand its pain. This study aims to prepare a buccoadhesive fast dissolving film containing Corchorus olitorius seed extract to treat recurrent minor aphthous ulceration (RMAU) in addition to clinical experiments on human volunteers. An excision wound model was used to assess the in vivo wound healing potential of Corchorus olitorius L. seed extract, with a focus on wound healing molecular targets such as TGF-, TNF-, and IL-1. In addition, metabolomic profiling using HR-LCMS for the crude extract of Corchorus olitorius seeds was explored. Moreover, molecular docking experiments were performed to elucidate the binding confirmation of the isolated compounds with three molecular targets (TNF-α, IL-1β, and GSK3). Additionally, the in vitro antioxidant potential of C. olitorius seed extract using both H2O2 and superoxide radical scavenging activity was examined. Clinical experiments on human volunteers revealed the efficiency of the prepared C. olitorius seeds buccal fast dissolving film (CoBFDF) in relieving pain and wound healing of RMAU. Moreover, the wound healing results revealed that C. olitorius seed extract enhanced wound closure rates (p ≤ 0.001), elevated TGF-β levels and significantly downregulated TNF-α and IL-1β in comparison to the Mebo-treated group. The phenotypical results were supported by biochemical and histopathological findings, while metabolomic profiling using HR-LCMS for the crude extract of Corchorus olitorius seeds yielded a total of 21 compounds belonging to diverse chemical classes. Finally, this study highlights the potential of C. olitorius seed extract in wound repair uncovering the most probable mechanisms of action using in silico analysis.

The Wound-Healing Potential of Olea europaea L. Cv. Arbequina Leaves Extract: An Integrated In Vitro, In Silico, and In Vivo Investigation

Olea europaea L. Cv. Arbequina (OEA) (Oleaceae) is an olive variety species that has received little attention. Besides our previous work for the chemical profiling of OEA leaves using LC−HRESIMS, an additional 23 compounds are identified. An excision wound model is used to measure wound healing action. Wounds are provided with OEA (2% w/v) or MEBO® cream (marketed treatment). The wound closure rate related to vehicle-treated wounds is significantly increased by OEA. Comparing to vehicle wound tissues, significant levels of TGF-β in OEA and MEBO® (p < 0.05) are displayed by gene expression patterns, with the most significant levels in OEA-treated wounds. Proinflammatory TNF-α and IL-1β levels are substantially reduced in OEA-treated wounds. The capability of several lignan-related compounds to interact with MMP-1 is revealed by extensive in silico investigation of the major OEA compounds (i.e., inverse docking, molecular dynamics simulation, and ΔG calculation), and their role in the wound-healing process is also characterized. The potential of OEA as a potent MMP-1 inhibitor is shown in subsequent in vitro testing (IC50 = 88.0 ± 0.1 nM). In conclusion, OEA is introduced as an interesting therapeutic candidate that can effectively manage wound healing because of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.