Thymoquinone Loaded Topical Nanoemulgel for Wound Healing: Formulation Design and In-Vivo Evaluation

Pseudo-ternary phase diagram based PEGylated nano-dispersion of linezolid to promote wound regeneration: an in vitro and in vivo evaluation

Open wounds are prone to bacterial infiltration mostly resistant strains like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which affects healing of open wounds. Topical linezolid nano-dispersion using essential oils as nanoemulgel can increase solubility of drug and bypass side-effects like GI-irritation of oral administration. Pseudo-ternary phase diagram was built to optimise nanoemulsion. Surfactant/co-surfactant mixture (3:1), deionised water and Oilmix (4:1) with drug were vortexed and then ultrasonicated. 1% carbopol gel of optimised nanoemulsion was prepared and characterised, exposed to antimicrobial study, cytocompatibility study using HEK293 cell-line, and in vivo wound healing study using rat excision model. Histological study was performed to confirm growth of stratum corneum. Optimised formulation has particle size (244.6 ± 178.66 nm), polydispersity index (25%), entrapment efficiency (92.3 ± 3.38%) and in vitro drug release (87.58 ± 4.16%) best fitted in Korsmeyer-Peppas kinetics model. Nanoemulgel F6 (0.2%w/w) was found with viscosity of 5345 ± 6 cP constituting a very excellent antimicrobial effect against MRSA. HEK293 cells had shown good cytocompatibility with formulation. The wound contraction rate was 99.66 ± 0.57% at day 15 on daily application of nanoemulgel and stratum corneum was almost fully regenerated. The developed nanoemulgel has potential antimicrobial efficacy and can promote wound healing.

Assessment of Cytotoxic Effects of Quercetin Nanoemulgel on Different Skin Cancer Cell Lines

Objective Quercetin, a polyphenolic flavonoid with antioxidant and anticancer effects, has limited use due to poor water solubility. The objective of this study was to improve the therapeutic effectiveness of quercetin by developing a topical quercetin nanoemulgel.

METHOD

By optimizing the oil (clove oil) and smix ratio (Tween 20:propylene glycol), quercetin nanoemulsion was prepared by spontaneous emulsification method and then evaluated. The optimized nanoemulsion was further prepared to form quercetin nanoemulgel.

RESULTS

According to evaluation studies, the optimized quercetin nanoemulsion (QUE NE 3) exhibited stability with a negative zeta potential (-38.2 mV), a tiny particle size (98.2 nm), and high entrapment effectiveness (96.36%). The optimized nanoemulsion was formulated into a nanoemulgel (QUE NEG 3). Studies on ex vivo drug release of quercetin nanoemulgel (QUE NEG 3) showed improved permeability, with cumulative drug release of 93.56 ± 1.16% in 8 hours, which was greater than standard quercetin gel (QG) and drug free loaded nanoemulgel (DFL NEG). This was proved by CLSM which shows the delivery of QUE NEG 3 into the dermis. Dose-dependent inhibitory effects were found in cytotoxicity assays conducted on skin cancer cell lines (TE 354.T, A431, and A375) by using the MTT assay. The results demonstrated that quercetin nanoemulgel (QUE NEG 3) showed higher cytotoxicity of 66.52% especially against A431 cells. Hence proving its ability to treat squamous cell carcinoma.

CONCLUSION

These findings imply that the quercetin nanoemulgel is a viable drug delivery method for enhancing quercetin's solubility and therapeutic efficacy.

Development and evaluation of chitosan-coated virgin coconut oil-asiatic acid-loaded nanoemulgel for enhanced wound management

Wound management remains a significant challenge due to complications such as delayed healing and microbial infections, particularly in the conditions like diabetes mellitus, vascular disorders, and immunosuppression. This study aimed to develop a chitosan-coated virgin coconut oil-asiatic acid-loaded nanoemulsion gel (CS-ASA-NEG) to enhance wound healing outcomes. A central composite design (CCD) was employed using Design Expert 11 software to optimize the nanoemulsion formulation, with ternary phase diagrams (TPD) evaluating stable regions for Tween 20: Span 80 (T20:S80) ratios. The optimized 4:1 ratio yielded a nanoemulsion with a globule size of 131.80 ± 0.33 nm and an entrapment efficiency (EE%) of 94.86 ± 0.05 %. Stability studies confirmed the formulation's robustness at 5 °C and 25 °C for 28 days. The nanoemulgel was prepared using 1 % carbopol gel, with a pH of 5.50 ± 0.04 and viscosity of 16,481 ± 0.01 cP, making it suitable for topical use. Skin permeation and irritation studies indicated superior efficacy, with a maximum flux (Jmax) of 159.10 ± 0.08 μg/cm2/h, outperforming marketed gels. The formulation achieved a wound contraction rate of 99.86 ± 0.24 % by day 20, highlighting the synergistic benefits of asiatic acid, virgin coconut oil, and chitosan. CS-ASA-NEG offers a promising approach to improve wound healing.

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Thymoquinone, St. John Wort Oil and Silver Sulfadiazine in Experimental Burn Wounds

We aimed to compare the effectiveness of thymoquinone (TQ), the most important bioactive component of black cumin, St. John wort (SJW) oil, a traditional medicinal plant used in burns, and silver sulfadiazine (AgSD), a well-known antiinflammatory agent used in modern medicine, in an experimental burn rat-model. Sixty-three Wistar-Albino rats were randomly divided into 9 groups (n = 7). TQ and SJW were administered topically and systemically but AgSD was applied topically. Epithelialization, inflammatory cell response, granulation tissue, vascularization, and fibrosis were evaluated. Malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), vitamin E, 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) were analyzed in serum. Topical TQ accelerated the epithelialization, enabled granulation, vascularization, and fibrosis in wounds (P = .001). Topical and systemic TQ increased Vitamin E levels (P = .003) but reduced TOS and 8-OHdG levels (P = .001). Topical SJW reduced granulation and vascularization. Topical and systemic SJW decreased TOS, MDA, and 8-OHdG levels (P = .001) but increased TAS (P = .001) and Vitamin E levels (P = .003). Topical AgSD reduced TOS, 8-OHdG, and MDA levels (P = .001). Topical and systemic TQ demonstrated significant advantages in accelerating the wound healing process while also enhancing antioxidant defenses and reducing oxidative damage. SJW oil, particularly in topical application, improved epithelialization, and antioxidant status but showed less efficacy in systemic use. AgSD, while effective in reducing oxidative stress, was less successful in promoting wound healing and appeared to delay granulation and fibrosis. Thymoquinone offers superior protective and healing benefits, SJW is effective locally but less so systemically, and AgSD should be used cautiously, potentially combined with antioxidants to mitigate its negative impact on wound healing.

Superior In Vivo Wound-Healing Activity of Biosynthesized Silver Nanoparticles with Nepeta cataria (Catnip) on Excision Wound Model in Rat

Silver nanoparticles were biosynthesized with Nepeta cataria plant extract. It was determined that the synthesized Nc-AgNPs gave a strong absorbance peak at 438 nm wavelength in the UV-vis spectrophotometer. SEM and TEM analyses of Nc-AgNPs showed that the synthesized nanoparticles had a spherical morphology. Based on XRD analysis, the average crystallite size of Nc-AgNPs was calculated at 15.74 nm. At the same time, EDS spectrum analysis exhibited dominant emission energy at 3 keV, indicative of Nc-AgNPs. Nc-AgNPs showed an inhibition zone of 12 nm in gram-negative Escherichia coli, 10 nm in gram-positive Enterococcus faecalis, and 11 nm in Staphylococcus aureus. Nc-AgNPs showed high antioxidant properties, with 63% at 5000 μg/mL. The wound-healing properties of Nc-AgNPs were evaluated in vivo in wound models created in a total of 20 Wistar albino male rats, divided into four groups. After 10 days of treatment, the highest wound closure rate was seen in the Nc-AgNP + Vaseline (Group IV) treatment group, at 94%. It was observed that Nc-AgNP + Vaseline nanoformulation significantly increased wound healing, similar to Silverdin®, and Vaseline alone supported healing but did not result in complete closure. Histopathological examination revealed an increase in mature Type 1 collagen in Group IV and positive control (Group II), with better collagen maturation in vehicle control (Group III) compared to negative control (Group I). Immunohistochemical analysis showed complete epithelialization in Group IV and Group II, with distinct cytokeratin expressions, while Group III exhibited mild expressions.

Fabrication of Thymoquinone and Ascorbic Acid-Loaded Spanlastics Gel for Hyperpigmentation: In Vitro Release, Cytotoxicity, and Skin Permeation Studies

Background/Objectives: The demand for a safe compound for hyperpigmentation is continuously increasing. Bioactive compounds such as thymoquinone (TQ) and ascorbic acid (AA) induce inhibition of melanogenesis with a high safety profile. The aim of this study was to design and evaluate spanlastics gel loaded with bioactive agents, TQ and AA, for the management of hyperpigmentation. Methods: Several spanlastics formulations were successfully fabricated and characterized in terms of morphology, vesicle size, zeta potential, and release. Results: The optimized TQ-loaded spanlastic formulation showed an average size of 223.40 ± 3.50 nm, and 133.00 ± 2.80 nm for AA-loaded spanlastic formulation. The optimized spanlastics formulation showed the highest entrapment efficiency (EE%) of 97.18 ± 2.02% and 93.08 ± 1.95%, for TQ and AA, respectively. Additionally, the edge activator concentration had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on EE%; it was found that by increasing the amount of EA, the EE% increases. Following that, the optimal spanlastics fomulation loaded with TQ and AA were incorporated into gel and explored for appearance, pH, spreadability, stability, rheology, in vitro release, ex vivo permeation study, and MTT cytotoxicity. The formulated spanlastics gel (R-1) has a pH of 5.53. Additionally, R-1 gel was significantly (p < 0.05) more spreadable than control gel, and exhibited a shear thinning behavior. Most importantly, ex vivo skin deposition studies confirmed superior skin deposition of TQ and AA from spanlastic gels. Additionally, results indicated that tyrosinase inhibition was primarily due to TQ. When comparing TQ alone with the TQ-AA combination, inhibition ranged from 18.35 to 42.73% and 24.28 to 42.53%, respectively. Both TQ spanlastics and the TQ-AA combination showed a concentration-dependent inhibition of tyrosinase. Conclusions: Spanlastic gel might represent a promising carrier for the dermal delivery of TQ and AA for the management of hyperpigmentation conditions.

Thymoquinone loaded nanoemulgel in streptozotocin induced diabetic wound

Aim: To treat diabetic wound healing with a novel Thymoquinone (TQ) loaded nanoformulation by using combination of essentials oils.Methods: TQ nanoemulsion (NE) was developed with seabuckthorn & lavender essential oils by phase inversion method and mixture design. Further, DIAGEL is obtained by incorporating NE into 1% carbopol®934. Furthermore, particle size, polydispersity index, thermodynamic stability studies, rheology, spreadability, drug content, in-vitro drug release, ex-vivo permeation, anti-oxidant assay, antimicrobial studies, angioirritance, HAT-CAM assay, in-vitro and in-vivo studies were determined.Results: NE has a particle size of 17.79 ± 0.61 nm, 0.206 ± 0.012 PDI & found to be thermodynamically stable. DIAGEL exhibited pseudoplastic behavior, sustained drug release, better permeation of TQ and a drug content of 98.54 ± 0.08%. DIAGEL stored for 6 months at room temperature and 2-8°C showed no degradation. Further, an improved angiogenesis, absence of angio-irritancy, remarkable antioxidant and antimicrobial activities against Candida albicans & S. aureus were observed. Cytotoxicity analysis revealed nearly 2.28 -folds higher IC50 value than drug solution. Furthermore, inflammatory mediators were reduced in DIAGEL treated animal groups. The histopathological studies confirmed skin healing with regeneration and granulation of tissue.Conclusion: The novel formulation has strong anti-inflammatory, angiogenesis, antioxidant and appreciable diabetic wound healing properties.

Pilot scale manufacturing of black seed oil-loaded alginate beads; process development, and stability of thymoquinone

The approach of ionic gelation was employed at the pilot scale of the 50 kg batch size to manufacture black seed oil (BSO)-loaded alginate (ALG) beads as a natural source supplementing the main bioactive compound of BSO, i.e., thymoquinone (TQ). The BSO-ALG emulsion was prepared by initially emulsifying BSO with alginate solution at the pilot scale in two stages. The final emulsion was then dripped through 12 units of 3D-printed multi-nozzles into a curing bath containing Ca2+. The dripping flow rate was scaled up to 288 mL/min through the 3D-printed multi-nozzles (22-gauge). The characteristics of pilot scale BSO-ALG beads were similar to those produced at the lab scale; the beads were spherical with a size of 1.84-1.94 mm. The mechanical strength and loss on drying ranged from 143.6 to 172 g and 77.85-81.96 %, respectively. The production yield and encapsulation efficiency were 77.53-83.65 % and 95.36-97.9 %, respectively. Furthermore, the emulsification process did not affect TQ stability, while the curing process reduced TQ concentration from 1.51 % to 1.03 % w/w. Additionally, a substantial drop in TQ concentration in the encapsulated BSO was observed after the drying process, where it reached 0.23 % w/w. Finally, the stability of BSO-ALG beads in both wet and dried forms under real-time and accelerated conditions for 3 months revealed that beads were stable in terms of their organoleptic characteristics, size and sphericity, and loss on drying. Findings from this study enable the large-scale manufacturing of encapsulated BSO and similar bioactive compounds in ALG beads for the first time. These findings are valuable for advancing microencapsulation through ionic gelation and enhancing food preservation and safety.

Development and Investigation of a Nanoemulgel Formulated from Tunisian Opuntia ficus-indica L. Seed Oil for Enhanced Wound Healing Activity

The aim of this study is to develop a nanoemulgel encapsulating a Tunisian Prickly Pear (Opuntia ficus-indica L.) seed oil (PPSO) to assess, for the first time, the in vivo efficacy of this nanoformulation on wound healing. Phytocompounds of this oil have been reported in the literature as having powerful pharmacological activities. However, it remains poorly exploited due to low bioavailability. A nanoemulsion (NE) was designed by determining the required hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) and subsequently characterized. The mean droplet size was measured at 56.46 ± 1.12 nm, with a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.23 ± 0.01 using dynamic light scattering. The zeta potential was -31.4 ± 1.4 mV, and the morphology was confirmed and assessed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). These characteristics align with the typical properties of nanoemulsions. The gelification process resulted in the formation of a nanoemulgel from the optimum nanoemulsion. The high wound healing efficiency of the nanoemulgel was confirmed compared to that of a medicinally marketed cream. The outcomes of this research contribute valuable insights, for the first time, into the potential therapeutic applications of PPSO and its innovative pharmaceutical formulation for wound healing.

Formulation and Evaluation of Turmeric- and Neem-Based Topical Nanoemulgel against Microbial Infection

The combination of nanoemulgel and phytochemistry has resulted in several recent discoveries in the field of topical delivery systems. The present study aimed to prepare nanoemulgel based on turmeric (Curcuma longa) and neem (Azadirachta indica) against microbial infection as topical drug delivery. Olive oil (oil phase), Tween 80 (surfactant), and PEG600 (co-surfactant) were used for the preparation of nanoemulsion. Carbopol 934 was used as a gelling agent to convert the nanoemulsion to nanoemulgel and promote the control of the release of biological properties of turmeric and neem. The nanoemulsion was characterized based on particle size distribution, PDI values, and compatibility using FTIR analysis. In contrast, the nanoemulgel was evaluated based on pH, viscosity, spreadability, plant extract and excipient compatibility or physical state, in vitro study, ex vivo mucoadhesive study, antimicrobial properties, and stability. The resulting nanoemulsion was homogeneous and stable during the centrifugation process, with the smallest droplets and low PDI values. FTIR analysis also confirmed good compatibility and absence of phase separation between the oil substance, surfactant, and co-surfactant with both plant extracts. The improved nanoemulgel also demonstrated a smooth texture, good consistency, good pH, desired viscosity, ex vivo mucoadhesive strength with the highest spreadability, and 18 h in vitro drug release. Additionally, it exhibited better antimicrobial properties against different microbial strains. Stability studies also revealed that the product had good rheological properties and physicochemical state for a period of over 3 months. The present study affirmed that turmeric- and neem-based nanoemulgel is a promising alternative for microbial infection particularly associated with microorganisms via topical application.

Microenvironment-Responsive Antibacterial, Anti-Inflammatory, and Antioxidant Pickering Emulsion Stabilized by Curcumin-Loaded Tea Polyphenol Particles for Accelerating Infected Wound Healing

Multiphase Pickering emulsions, including two or more active agents, are of great importance to effectively manage complicated wounds. However, current strategies based on Pickering emulsions are still unsatisfying since they involve only stabilization by inactive particles and encapsulation of the hydrophobic drugs in the oil phase. Herein, thyme essential oil (TEO) was encapsulated in the shell of functional tea polyphenol (TP)-curcumin (Cur) nanoparticles (TC NPs) to exemplarily develop a novel Pickering emulsion (TEO/TC PE). Hydrophobic Cur was loaded with hydrophilic TP to obtain TC NPs, and under homogenization, these TC NPs adsorbed on the surface of TEO droplets to form a stable core-shell structure. Owing to such an oil-in-water (O/W) structure, the sequential release of the first Cur from pH-responsive disintegrated TC NPs and then the leaked TEO from the emulsion yielded synergetic functions of TEO/TC PE, leading to enhanced antibacterial, biofilm elimination, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. This injectable TEO/TC PE was applied to treat the infected full-thickness skin defects, and satisfactory wound healing effects were achieved with rapid angiogenesis, collagen deposition, and skin regeneration. The present TEO/TC PE constituted entirely of plant-sourced active products is biosafe and expected to spearhead the future development of novel wound dressings.

Development and evaluation of nanoemulsion gel loaded with bioactive extract of Cucumis melo var. agrestis: A novel approach for enhanced skin permeability and antifungal activity

The utilization of phytoconstituents in skin care products has emerged as a notable trend due to their recognized safety and therapeutic efficacy. However, the challenge lies in improving the effective delivery of phytoconstituents to specific tissues, primarily attributed to their poor solubility and low permeability. This study endeavors to address this challenge by developing, optimizing and characterizing Cucumis melo var. agrestis (CME) extract loaded nanoemulsion gel (CME-NEG), aiming to enhance the skin permeability and antifungal activity. Herein, nanoemulsions encapsulating the plant extract were prepared using ultrasonication technique and were characterized for droplet size, zeta potential, polydispersity index (PDI) and entrapment efficiency. Further, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis were conducted to characterize the optimized CME extract loaded nanoemulsion (CME-NE 3) formulation. The optimized formulation was blended with Carbopol 940 gel to develop CME-NEG, which was evaluated for release kinetics, in vitro permeation and in vitro antifungal activity. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis confirmed the presence of gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, 4-Hydroxy benzoic acid (HB acid), kaempferol, caffeic acid and quercetin. Findings of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay showed that the ethanolic extract had highest antioxidant activity (88.88 %). The optimized formulation displayed smooth spherical nanodroplets with size of 175.5 ± 1.56 nm, zeta potential of -21.5 ± 0.12 mV, PDI of 0.192 ± 0.06, and highest entrapment efficiency (EE) of 91.35 ± 1.65 %. The release profile of CME-NE exhibited a controlled release characteristic and the release kinetic mechanism was best described by the Korsmeyer-Peppas (Kp) model. In a 24 h permeation study, it was observed that the in vitro permeation of CME-NEG was 58.63 %, significantly higher than that of CME extract loaded plain gel (CME-PG) with an enhancement ratio of 2.12. The prepared CME-NEG formulation also presented enhanced antifungal activity as compared to pure CME extract. In conclusion, the designed CME-NEG offers a promising topical drug delivery system with enhanced skin permeability and antifungal activity.

Nano-based formulations of thymoquinone are new approaches for psoriasis treatment: a literature review

Psoriasis, a persistent immune-mediated inflammatory skin condition, affects approximately 2-3% of the global population. Current treatments for psoriasis are fraught with limitations, including adverse effects, high costs, and diminishing efficacy over time. Thymoquinone (TQ), derived from Nigella sativa seeds, exhibits promising anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties that could prove beneficial in managing psoriasis. However, TQ's hydrophobic nature and poor bioavailability have hindered its usefulness as a therapeutic agent. Recent research has strategically addressed these challenges by developing nano-thymoquinone (nano-TQ) formulations to enhance delivery and efficacy in treating psoriasis. Preclinical studies employing mouse models have demonstrated that nano-TQ effectively mitigates inflammation, erythema, scaling, epidermal thickness, and cytokine levels in psoriatic lesions. Various nano-TQ formulations, including nanoemulsions, lipid vesicles, nanostructured lipid carriers, and ethosomes, have been explored to improve solubility, facilitate skin penetration, ensure sustained release, and achieve site-specific targeting. Although clinical trials are currently scarce, the outcomes from in vitro and animal models are promising. The potential co-delivery of nano-TQ with other anti-psoriatic agents also presents avenues for further investigation.

Exploring the Wound Healing Potential of a Cuscuta chinensis Extract-Loaded Nanoemulsion-Based Gel

Cuscuta chinensis (C. chinensis) presents many pharmacological activities, including antidiabetic effects, and antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor properties. However, the wound care properties of this plant have not yet been reported. Therefore, this research aimed to evaluate the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial activities of ethanol and ethyl acetate C. chinensis extracts. The phytochemical markers in the extracts were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Then, the selected C. chinensis extract was developed into a nanoemulsion-based gel for wound care testing in rats. The results showed that both of the C. chinensis extracts exhibited antioxidant activity when tested using 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and lipid peroxidation inhibition assays. They reduced the expression of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in RAW264.7 cells induced with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The ethyl acetate extract also had antibacterial properties. Kaempferol was found in both extracts, whereas hyperoside was found only in the ethanol extract. These compounds were found to be related to the biological activities of the extracts, confirmed via molecular docking. The C. chinensis extract-loaded nanoemulsions had a small particle size, a narrow polydispersity index (PDI), and good stability. Furthermore, the C. chinensis extract-loaded nanoemulsion-based gel had a positive effect on wound healing, presenting a better percentage wound contraction Fucidin cream. In conclusion, this formulation has the potential for use as an alternative wound treatment and warrants further study in clinical trials.

Investigating the Wound-Healing Potential of a Nanoemulsion-Gel Formulation of Pituranthos tortuosus Essential Oil

This study explores a nanoemulsion (NE)-based gel incorporating Tunisian Pituranthos tortuosus essential oil, with a focus on its wound-healing potential. The essential oil, extracted via hydrodistillation, underwent GC-MS analysis for compositional verification. The physicochemical characterization included dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), zeta potential measurement, pH, and viscosity. The gelification of the NE facilitated topical application. The results revealed an average extraction yield of 0.45% and identified 38 compounds in the essential oil. The NE exhibited a particle size of 27 ± 0.4 nm, a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.3, and a zeta potential of -22.8 ± 1.4 mV. The stability of the gelified preparation was confirmed through thermodynamic stability studies, TEM observations, and zeta and size results. In vivo experiments confirmed significant wound-healing effects, highlighting the promising role of the NE-based gel in healthcare advancements. This research underscores the potential of novel phyto-based delivery systems in wound care.

Chitosan-based topical formulation integrated with green-synthesized silver nanoparticles utilizing Camellia sinensis leaf extracts: A promising approach for managing infected wounds

This study explores the eco-friendly biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) utilizing Camellia sinensis leaf extract. We assess their antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Furthermore, we impregnated AgNPs into 2 % chitosan (CHS) gel and assessed their wound-healing potential in Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus infected wounds. Optimized AgNPs demonstrated a mean particle size of 36.90 ± 1.22 nm and a PDI of 0.049 ± 0.001. Green-synthesized AgNPs exhibited enhanced free radical inhibition (IC50: 31.45 μg/mL, 34.01 μg/mL, 27.40 μg/mL) compared to leaf extract (IC50: 52.67 μg/mL, 59.64 μg/mL, 97.50 μg/mL) in DPPH, hydrogen peroxide, and nitric oxide free radical scavenging assays, respectively. The MIC/MBC values of AgNPs against E. coli and S. aureus were 5 ppm/ 7.5 ppm and 10 ppm/ 15 ppm, respectively. Furthermore, our study showed that green-synthesized AgNPs at MIC significantly reduced the biofilm production of E. coli (70.37 %) and S. aureus (67.40 %). The CHS/AgNPs gel exhibited potent wound healing activities, comparable to a commercial cream with the re-epithelialization period of 8.16 ± 0.75. Histological analysis demonstrated enhanced skin regeneration with a thicker epidermal layer, well-defined papillary dermal structure, and organized collagen fibers. In summary, these findings hold promise for addressing bacterial infections, particularly those associated with biofilms-related wound infections.

3D printed capsule shells for personalized dosing of cyclosporine-loaded SNEDDS

Cyclosporine (CsA) is a potent immunosuppressant agent that has been used since 1980 for the treatment of various autoimmune diseases and is extensively used to enhance the survival rate of patients and grafts following organ transplant surgeries. CsA is a poorly soluble drug with a narrow therapeutic window and inter-subject variability, which can lead to graft rejection, nephrotoxicity and other severe adverse effects. This study explores a novel method that combines solubility enhancement of CsA using SNEDDS formulation and personalized dosage delivery using 3D printing technology. The oil phase was chosen as a combination of caproyl 90 and octanoic acid while the Smix phase was chosen as a combination of cremophore El and PEG 400. The optimized liquid SNEDDS was solidified using PEG 6000. An FDM printer was used to print a capsular shell with an oval base that ascends to form a dome with an opening at the top. This opening is used to fill the molten CsA-loaded SNEDDS formulation using a pipette or syringe. The CsA-loaded SNEDDS formulation was characterized by FTIR, DSC and SEM/EDX. The in-vitro release of CsA showed complete release within sixty minutes and followed Korsmeyer-Peppas release kinetics. The drug release was not affected by either the shell opening size or the amount of the loaded formulation. This novel method is simple and straightforward for personalized dosage delivery of drug-loaded SNEDDS formulations.

Novel Therapeutic Hybrid Systems Using Hydrogels and Nanotechnology: A Focus on Nanoemulgels for the Treatment of Skin Diseases

Topical and transdermal drug delivery are advantageous administration routes, especially when treating diseases and conditions with a skin etiology. Nevertheless, conventional dosage forms often lead to low therapeutic efficacy, safety issues, and patient noncompliance. To tackle these issues, novel topical and transdermal platforms involving nanotechnology have been developed. This review focuses on the latest advances regarding the development of nanoemulgels for skin application, encapsulating a wide variety of molecules, including already marketed drugs (miconazole, ketoconazole, fusidic acid, imiquimod, meloxicam), repurposed marketed drugs (atorvastatin, omeprazole, leflunomide), natural-derived compounds (eucalyptol, naringenin, thymoquinone, curcumin, chrysin, brucine, capsaicin), and other synthetic molecules (ebselen, tocotrienols, retinyl palmitate), for wound healing, skin and skin appendage infections, skin inflammatory diseases, skin cancer, neuropathy, or anti-aging purposes. Developed formulations revealed adequate droplet size, PDI, viscosity, spreadability, pH, stability, drug release, and drug permeation and/or retention capacity, having more advantageous characteristics than current marketed formulations. In vitro and/or in vivo studies established the safety and efficacy of the developed formulations, confirming their therapeutic potential, and making them promising platforms for the replacement of current therapies, or as possible adjuvant treatments, which might someday effectively reach the market to help fight highly incident skin or systemic diseases and conditions.

How Thymoquinone from Nigella sativa Accelerates Wound Healing through Multiple Mechanisms and Targets

Wound healing is a multifaceted process necessitating the collaboration of numerous elements to mend damaged tissue. Plant and animal-derived natural compounds have been utilized for wound treatment over the centuries, with many scientific investigations examining these compounds. Those with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties are particularly noteworthy, as they target various wound-healing stages to expedite recovery. Thymoquinone, derived from Nigella sativa (N. sativa)-a medicinal herb with a long history of use in traditional medicine systems such as Unani, Ayurveda, Chinese, and Greco-Arabic and Islamic medicine-has demonstrated a range of therapeutic properties. Thymoquinone exhibits antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antineoplastic activities, positioning it as a potential remedy for skin pathologies. This review examines recent research on how thymoquinone accelerates wound healing and the mechanisms behind its effectiveness. We carried out a comprehensive review of literature and electronic databases, including Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, and MedlinePlus. Our aim was to gather relevant papers published between 2015 and August 2023. The main criteria for inclusion were that the articles had to be peer reviewed, original, written in English, and discuss the wound-healing parameters of thymoquinone in wound repair. Our review focused on the effects of thymoquinone on the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in wound healing. We also examined the role of cytokines, signal transduction cascades, and clinical trials. We found sufficient evidence to support the effectiveness of thymoquinone in promoting wound healing. However, there is no consensus on the most effective concentrations of these substances. It is therefore essential to determine the optimal treatment doses and the best route of administration. Further research is also needed to investigate potential side effects and the performance of thymoquinone in clinical trials.

The Application of Nanogels as Efficient Drug Delivery Platforms for Dermal/Transdermal Delivery

The delivery of active molecules via the skin seems to be an efficient technology, given the various disadvantages of oral drug administration. Skin, which is the largest human organ of the body, has the important role of acting as a barrier for pathogens and other molecules including drugs; in fact, it serves as a primary defense system blocking any particle from entering the body. Therefore, to overcome the skin barriers and poor skin permeability, researchers implement novel carriers which can effectively carry out transdermal delivery of the molecules. Another significant issue which medical society tries to solve is the effective dermal delivery of molecules especially for topical wound delivery. The application of nanogels is only one of the available approaches offering promising results for both dermal and transdermal administration routes. Nanogels are polymer-based networks in nanoscale dimensions which have been explored as potent carriers of poorly soluble drugs, genes and vaccines. The nanogels present unique physicochemical properties, i.e., high surface area, biocompatibility, etc., and, importantly, can improve solubility. In this review, authors aimed to summarize the available applications of nanogels as possible vehicles for dermal and transdermal delivery of active pharmaceutical ingredients and discuss their future in the pharmaceutical manufacturing field.

Potential of nanoemulsions for accelerated wound healing: innovative strategies

Wounds represent various significant health concerns for patients and also contribute major costs to healthcare systems. Wound healing comprises of overlapped and various coordinated steps such as homeostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. In response to the failure of many strategies in delivering intended results including wound closure, fluid loss control, and exhibiting properties such as durability, targeted delivery, accelerated action, along with histocompatibility, numerous nanotechnological advances have been introduced. To understand the magnitude of wound therapy, this systematic and updated review discussing the effectiveness of nanoemulsions has been undertaken. This review portrays mechanisms associated with wound healing, factors for delayed wound healing, and various technologies utilized to treat wounds effectively. While many strategies are available, nanoemulsions have attracted the tremendous attention of scientists globally for the research in wound therapy due to their long-term thermodynamic stability and bioavailability. Nanoemulsions not only aid in tissue repair, but are also considered as an excellent delivery system for various synthetic and natural actives. Nanotechnology provides several pivotal benefits in wound healing, including improved skin permeation, controlled release, and stimulation of fibroblast cell proliferation. The significant role of nanoemulsions in improved wound healing along with their preparation techniques has also been highlighted with special emphasis on mechanistic insights. This article illustrates recent research advancements for the utilization of nanoemulsions in wound treatment. An adequate literature search has been conducted using the keywords 'Nanoemulsions in wound healing', 'Wound therapy and nanoemulsions', 'Herbal actives in wound therapy', 'Natural oils and wounds treatment' etc., from PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar databases. Referred and original publications in the English language accessed till April 2022 has been included, whereas nonEnglish language papers, unpublished data, and nonoriginal papers were excluded from the study.

Emulgels: Promising Carrier Systems for Food Ingredients and Drugs

Novel delivery systems for cosmetics, drugs, and food ingredients are of great scientific and industrial interest due to their ability to incorporate and protect active substances, thus improving their selectivity, bioavailability, and efficacy. Emulgels are emerging carrier systems that represent a mixture of emulsion and gel, which are particularly significant for the delivery of hydrophobic substances. However, the proper selection of main constituents determines the stability and efficacy of emulgels. Emulgels are dual-controlled release systems, where the oil phase is utilized as a carrier for hydrophobic substances and it determines the occlusive and sensory properties of the product. The emulsifiers are used to promote emulsification during production and to ensure emulsion stability. The choice of emulsifying agents is based on their capacity to emulsify, their toxicity, and their route of administration. Generally, gelling agents are used to increase the consistency of formulation and improve sensory properties by making these systems thixotropic. The gelling agents also impact the release of active substances from the formulation and stability of the system. Therefore, the aim of this review is to gain new insights into emulgel formulations, including the components selection, methods of preparation, and characterization, which are based on recent advances in research studies.

A Novel Strategy of Combined Pulsed Electro-Oxidation and Electrolysis for Degradation of Sulfadiazine

A combination of the peroxymonosulfate (PMS) electro-activation process and the electro-oxidation process driven by a pulsed electric field (PEF) was used to degrade sulfadiazine (SND) wastewater. Mass transfer is the limiting step of electrochemical processes. The PEF could enhance mass transfer efficiency by reducing the polarization effect and increasing the instantaneous limiting current compared with the constant electric field (CEF), which could benefit the electro-generation of active radicals. The degradation rate of SND after 2 h was 73.08%. The experiments investigated the effects of operating parameters of pulsed power supply, PMS dosage, pH value and electrode inter distance on the degradation rate of SND. The predicted response value of single-factor performance experiments was obtained as 72.26% after 2 h, which was basically consistent with the experimental value. According to the quenching experiments and EPR tests, both SO₄^•- and •OH were present in the electrochemical processes. The generation of active species were significantly greater in the PEF system than that in the CEF system. Moreover, four kinds of intermediate products were detected during the degradation by LC-MS. This paper presents a new aspect for electrochemical degradation of sulfonamide antibiotics.

An Overview of Nanoemulgels for Bioavailability Enhancement in Inflammatory Conditions via Topical Delivery

The anti-inflammatory drugs that are generally available possess the disadvantage of hydrophobicity, which leads to poor permeability and erratic bioavailability. Nanoemulgels (NEGs) are novel drug delivery systems that aim to improve the solubility and permeability of drugs across the biological membrane. The nano-sized droplets in the nanoemulsion enhance the permeation of the formulation, along with surfactants and co-surfactants that act as permeation enhancers and can further improve permeability. The hydrogel component of NEG helps to increase the viscosity and spreadability of the formulation, making it ideal for topical application. Moreover, oils that have anti-inflammatory properties, such as eucalyptus oil, emu oil and clove oil, are used as oil phases in the preparation of the nanoemulsion, which shows a synergistic effect with active moiety and enhances its overall therapeutic profile. This leads to the creation of hydrophobic drugs that possess enhanced pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties, and simultaneously avoid systemic side effects in individuals with external inflammatory disorders. The nanoemulsion's effective spreadability, ease of application, non-invasive administration, and subsequent ability to achieve patient compliance make it more suitable for topical application in the combat of many inflammatory disorders, such as dermatitis, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and so on. Although the large-scale practical application of NEG is limited due to problems regarding its scalability and thermodynamic instability, which arise from the use of high-energy approaches during the production of the nanoemulsion, these can be resolved by the advancement of an alternative nanoemulsification technique. Considering the potential advantages and long-term benefits of NEGs, the authors of this paper have compiled a review that elaborates the potential significance of utilizing nanoemulgels in a topical delivery system for anti-inflammatory drugs.

The wound healing effect of botanicals and pure natural substances used in in vivo models

Repairing the wound is a multistep process that includes the spatial and temporal synchronization of a different range of cell types to increase the speed of wound contraction, the proliferation of epithelial cells, and collagen formation. The need for proper management of acute wounds to be cured and not turned into chronic wounds is a significant clinical challenge. The traditional practice of medicinal plants in many regions of the world has been used in wound healing since ancient times. Recent scientific research introduced evidence of the efficacy of medicinal plants, their phyto-components, and the mechanisms underlying their wound-repairing activity. This review aims to briefly highlight the wound-curing effect of different plant extracts and purely natural substances in excision, incision, and burn experimental animal models with or without infection of mice, rats (diabetic and nondiabetic), and rabbits in the last 5 years. The in vivo studies represented reliable evidence of how powerful natural products are in healing wounds properly. They have good scavenging activity against Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects that help in the process of wound healing. It is evident that incorporating bioactive natural products into wound dressings of bio- or synthetic polymers in nanofiber, hydrogel, film, scaffold, and sponge forms showed promising results in different phases of the wound-curing process of haemostasis, inflammation, growth, re-epithelialization, and remodelling.

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.

Bioactive Lavandula angustifolia essential oil-loaded nanoemulsion dressing for burn wound healing. In vitro and in vivo studies

The aim of this study was to develop a dressing with bioactive lavender in a new form of nanoemulsion, and to verify its biosafety and effectiveness in burn wound healing. As part of this research, the composition of the bioactive carrier of lavender oil in the form of a nanoemulsion obtained using ultrasound was optimised. The mean particle size of the internal phase and polydispersity were determined using the dynamic light scattering method using a Zestasizer NanoZS by Malvern and using cryo-transmission electron microscopy (TEM). These studies confirmed that the selected formulation had a particle size of approximately 180 nm and remained stable over time. The preparation was also subjected to rheological analysis (viscosity approximately 480 mPa·s) and a pH test (approximately 6). A macroemulsion (ME) with the same qualitative composition was developed as a reference. Nanoformulations and MEs were tested for skin penetration using Raman spectroscopy in an in vitro model. Research has shown that both formulations deliver oil to living layers of the skin. Subsequently, studies were conducted to confirm the effect of lavender oil in emulsion systems on the mitigation of the inflammatory reaction and its pro-regenerative effect on the wound healing process in an in vitro cell culture model. The safe concentration of the oil in the emulsion preparation was also determined based on preliminary in vivo tests of skin sensitisation and irritation as well as an hemocompatibility test of the preparation.

Enhanced In Vivo Wound Healing Efficacy of a Novel Piperine-Containing Bioactive Hydrogel in Excision Wound Rat Model

These days an extensive amount of the attention of researchers is focused towards exploring bioactive compounds of natural or herbal origin for therapeutic intervention in different ailments of significant importance. One such novel bioactive compound that has a variety of biological properties, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, is piperine. However, until today, piperine has not been explored for its potential to improve inflammation and enhance healing in acute and chronic wounds. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the wound healing potential of piperine hydrogel formulation after topical application. Hydrogels fit the need for a depot system at the wound bed, where they ensure a consistent supply of therapeutic agents enclosed in their cross-linked network matrices. In the present study, piperine-containing carbopol 934 hydrogels mixed with Aloe vera gels of different gel strengths were prepared and characterized for rheological behavior, spreadability, extrudability, and percent (%) content uniformity. Furthermore, the wound healing potential of the developed formulation system was explored utilizing the excision wound healing model. The results of an in vivo study and histopathological examination revealed early and intrinsic healing of wounds with the piperine-containing bioactive hydrogel system compared to the bioactive hydrogel system without piperine. Therefore, the study's findings establish that the piperine-containing bioactive hydrogel system is a promising therapeutic approach for wound healing application that should be diligently considered for clinical transferability.

Nanoemulgel: A Novel Nano Carrier as a Tool for Topical Drug Delivery

Nano-emulgel is an emerging drug delivery system intended to enhance the therapeutic profile of lipophilic drugs. Lipophilic formulations have a variety of limitations, which includes poor solubility, unpredictable absorption, and low oral bioavailability. Nano-emulgel, an amalgamated preparation of different systems aims to deal with these limitations. The novel system prepared by the incorporation of nano-emulsion into gel improves stability and enables drug delivery for both immediate and controlled release. The focus on nano-emulgel has also increased due to its ability to achieve targeted delivery, ease of application, absence of gastrointestinal degradation or the first pass metabolism, and safety profile. This review focuses on the formulation components of nano-emulgel for topical drug delivery, pharmacokinetics and safety profiles.

Thymoquinone-Loaded Essential Oil-Based Emulgel as an Armament for Anti-psoriatic Activity

Essential oils consist of oxygenated structures of secondary metabolites of aromatic plants with anti-psoriatic activities. Tea tree oil (TTO) is an essential oil with good anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties, exhibiting reduced levels of IL-1, IL-8, and PGE 2. Thymoquinone (TMQ) is popular herb in traditional medicine with known therapeutic benefits in several diseases and ailments. The ternary phase diagram was prepared with the weight ratio of S_mix (Tween® 80:Labrasol®): oil:water ratio for o/w emulsion preparation. The globule size was 16.54 ± 0.13 nm, and PDI around 0.22 ± 0.01 of the TTO-TMQ emulsion and found thermodynamically stable. The percentage drug content was found in the range of 98.97 ± 0.62 to 99.45 ± 0.17% with uniformity of the ThymoGel using Carbopol®. The extensive physicochemical properties were studied using different analytical techniques, and in vitro drug release was performed using Franz-diffusion apparatus. Anti-psoriatic activity of the formulations was studied using Imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like inflammation model in male Balb/c mice and parameters like PASI score, ear thickness, and spleen to body weight index were determined as well as histological staining, ELISA, skin compliance, and safety evaluation of TTO were performed. The combination of essential oils with TMQ shows synergistic activity and efficiently reduces the psoriasis disease condition.

Thymoquinone: Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin Loaded Bacterial Cellulose for the Management of Wounds

The need for more advantageous and pharmaceutically active wound dressings is a pressing matter in the area of wound management. In this study, we explore the possibility of incorporating thymoquinone within bacterial cellulose, utilising cyclodextrins as a novel method of solubilising hydrophobic compounds. The thymoquinone was not soluble in water, so was incorporated within hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin before use. Thymoquinone: hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex produced was found to be soluble in water up to 7% (w/v) and was stable with no crystal formation for at least 7 days with the ability to be loaded within the bacterial cellulose matrix. The inclusion complex was found to be thermally stable up to 280 °C which is far greater than the production temperature of 80 °C and was stable in phosphate-buffered saline and extraction solvents in permeation and dose experiments. The adhesion properties of the Thymoquinone: hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin loaded bacterial cellulose dressings were tested and found to be 2.09 N. Permeation studies on skin mimicking membrane Strat-M showed a total permeated amount (0-24 h) of 538.8 µg cm^-2 and average flux after a 2 h lag of 22.4 µg h^-1 cm^-2. To the best of our knowledge, the methods outlined in this study are the first instance of loading bacterial cellulose with thymoquinone inclusion complex with the aim of producing a pharmaceutically active wound dressing.

Oleic acid-based vesicular nanocarriers for topical delivery of the natural drug thymoquinone: Improvement of anti-inflammatory activity

The topical administration of a drug compound remains the first choice for the treatment of many local skin ailments. Many skin diseases can be treated by applying the active formulation directly to the skin, but unfortunately some drugs are unable to overcome the stratum corneum and exert their pharmacological action. An example is thymoquinone, a naturally derived drug obtained from Nigella sativa L. and potentially effective in the treatment of inflammatory and oxidative skin conditions. Since its physico-chemical properties are not suitable for overcoming the stratum corneum, we wanted to circumvent the problem by proposing new lipid-based nanovesicles called "oleoethosomes", made up of naturally derived ingredients, for its delivery. Among several formulations of oleoethosomes, the sample made up of 2% (w/w) oleic acid:PL90G 1:1 (molar ratio), and ethanol 15% showed the best physico-chemical characteristics and above all it showed the capacity to contain a suitable amount of thymoquinone (2 mg/ml). The formulation was tested in vitro on stratum corneum and viable epidermis membranes confirming its ability to induce the passage of thymoquinone through the human stratum corneum and to act as a permeation enhancer. In fact, it showed thymoquinone permeation values of 22.63 ± 1.49% regarding the applied drug amount. Oleoethosomes were compared with oleosomes, another kind of naturally derived nanosystems but free of ethanol. The experimental data confirmed that ethanol was an important component that enhanced the activity of the oleoethosomes when tested on the skin of healthy volunteers. The thymoquinone-loaded oleoethosome treatment demonstrated a significantly greater extent of anti-inflammatory activity than the treatment with thymoquinone-loaded oleosomes or the conventional dosage form of the drug. These in vivo results confirmed the synergic effect between oleic acid and ethanol on the lipid and protein compartments of the outermost skin layer, thus promoting a greater penetration capacity.

Green Synthesis of Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles Using Ocimum sanctum Leaf Extract: In Vitro Characterization and Its Healing Efficacy in Diabetic Wounds

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most prevalent metabolic disorders characterized by hyperglycemia due to impaired glucose metabolism. Overproduction of free radicals due to chronic hyperglycemia may cause oxidative stress, which delays wound healing in diabetic conditions. For people with diabetes, this impeded wound healing is one of the predominant reasons for mortality and morbidity. The study aimed to develop an Ocimum sanctum leaf extract-mediated green synthesis of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles (NPs) and further incorporate them into 2% chitosan (CS) gel for diabetic wound healing. UV-visible spectrum analysis recorded the sharp peak at 235 and 320 nm, and this was the preliminary sign for the biosynthesis of TiO₂ NPs. The FTIR analysis was used to perform a qualitative validation of the biosynthesized TiO₂ nanoparticles. XRD analysis indicated the crystallinity of TiO₂ NPs in anatase form. Microscopic investigation revealed that TiO₂ NPs were spherical and polygonal in shape, with sizes ranging from 75 to 123 nm. The EDX analysis of green synthesized NPs showed the presence of TiO₂ NPs, demonstrating the peak of titanium ion and oxygen. The hydrodynamic diameter and polydispersity index (PDI) of the TiO₂ NPs were found to be 130.3 nm and 0.237, respectively. The developed TiO₂ NPs containing CS gel exhibited the desired thixotropic properties with pseudoplastic behavior. In vivo wound healing studies and histopathological investigations of healed wounds demonstrated the excellent wound-healing efficacy of TiO₂ NPs containing CS gel in diabetic rats.

Utilization of Nanotechnology to Improve Bone Health in Osteoporosis Exploiting Nigella sativa and Its Active Constituent Thymoquinone

Osteoporosis, a chronic bone disorder, is one of the leading causes of fracture and morbidity risk. Numerous medicinally important herbs have been evaluated for their efficacy in improving bone mass density in exhaustive preclinical and limited clinical studies. Nigella sativa L. has been used as local folk medicine, and traditional healers have used it to manage various ailments. Its reported beneficial effects include controlling bone and joint diseases. The present manuscript aimed to provide a sound discussion on the pharmacological evidence of N. sativa and its active constituent, thymoquinone, for its utility in the effective management of osteoporosis. N. sativa is reported to possess anti-IL-1 and anti-TNF-α-mediated anti-inflammatory effects, leading to positive effects on bone turnover markers, such as alkaline phosphatase and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase. It is reported to stimulate bone regeneration by prompting osteoblast proliferation, ossification, and decreasing osteoclast cells. Thymoquinone from N. sativa has exhibited an antioxidant effect on bone tissue by reducing the FeNTA-induced oxidative stress. The present manuscript highlights phytochemistry, pharmacological effect, and the important mechanistic perspective of N. sativa and its active constituents for the management of osteoporosis. Further, it also provides sound discussion on the utilization of a nanotechnology-mediated drug delivery approach as a promising strategy to improve the therapeutic performance of N. sativa and its active constituent, thymoquinone, in the effective management of osteoporosis.

Nanogels as Potential Delivery Vehicles in Improving the Therapeutic Efficacy of Phytopharmaceuticals

Nanogel is a promising drug delivery approach to improve the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic prospect of phytopharmaceuticals. In the present review, phytopharmaceuticals with astonishing therapeutic utilities are being explored. However, their in vivo delivery is challenging, owing to poor biopharmaceutical attributes that impact their drug release profile, skin penetration, and the reach of optimal therapeutic concentrations to the target site. Nanogel and its advanced version in the form of nanoemulgel (oil-in-water nanoemulsion integrated gel matrix) offer better therapeutic prospects than other conventional counterparts for improving the biopharmaceutical attributes and thus therapeutic efficacy of phytopharmaceuticals. Nanoemulgel-loaded phytopharmaceuticals could substantially improve permeation behavior across skin barriers, subsequently enhancing the delivery and therapeutic effectiveness of the bioactive compound. Furthermore, the thixotropic characteristics of polymeric hydrogel utilized in the fabrication of nanogel/nanoemulgel-based drug delivery systems have also imparted improvements in the biopharmaceutical attributes of loaded phytopharmaceuticals. This formulation approach is about to be rife in the coming decades. Thus, the current review throws light on the recent studies demonstrating the role of nanogels in enhancing the delivery of bioactive compounds for treating various disease conditions and the challenges faced in their clinical translation.

Supramolecular Tools to Improve Wound Healing and Antioxidant Properties of Abietic Acid: Biocompatible Microemulsions and Emulgels

Abietic acid, a naturally occurring fir resin compound, that exhibits anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties, was formulated into biocompatible emulgels based on stable microemulsions with the addition of a carbamate-containing surfactant and Carbopol^® 940 gel. Various microemulsion and emulgel formulations were tested for antioxidant and wound-healing properties. The chemiluminescence method has shown that all compositions containing abietic acid have a high antioxidant activity. Using Strat-M^® skin-modelling membrane, it was found out that emulgels significantly prolong the release of abietic acid. On Wistar rats, it was shown that microemulsions and emulgels containing 0.5% wt. of abietic acid promote the rapid healing of an incised wound and twofold tissue reinforcement compared to the untreated group, as documented by tensiometric wound suture-rupture assay. The high healing-efficiency is associated with a combination of antibacterial activity of the formulation components and the anti-inflammatory action of abietic acid.

Emerging advances in nanomedicine for breast cancer immunotherapy: opportunities and challenges

Breast cancer is one of the most common causes of cancer-related morbidity and mortality in women worldwide. Early diagnosis and an appropriate therapeutic approach for all cancers are climacterics for a favorable prognosis. Targeting the immune system in breast cancer is already a clinical reality with notable successes, specifically with checkpoint blockade antibodies and chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy. However, there have been inevitable setbacks in the clinical application of cancer immunotherapy, including inadequate immune responses due to insufficient delivery of immunostimulants to immune cells and uncontrolled immune system modulation. Rapid advancements and new evidence have suggested that nanomedicine-based immunotherapy may be a viable option for treating breast cancer.

Development of Apremilast Nanoemulsion-Loaded Chitosan Gels: In Vitro Evaluations and Anti-Inflammatory and Wound Healing Studies on a Rat Model

Apremilast (APL) has profound anti-inflammatory and wound healing activity, alongside other dermal care. This study aims to develop APL-loaded NEs (ANE1-ANE5) using eucalyptus oil (EO) as the oil and Tween-80 and transcutol-HP (THP) as a surfactant and co-surfactant, respectively. The prepared NEs were then evaluated based on mean droplet size (12.63 ± 1.2 nm), PDI (0.269 ± 0.012), ZP (−23.00 ± 5.86), RI (1.315 ± 0.02), and %T (99.89 ± 0.38) and ANE4 was optimized. Further, optimized NEs (ANE4) were incorporated into chitosan gel (2%, w/v). The developed ANE4-loaded chitosan gel was then evaluated for pH, spreadability, in vitro diffusion, and wound healing and anti-inflammatory studies. Moreover, in vivo studies denoted improved anti-inflammatory and wound healing activity and represented a decrease in wound size percentage (99.68 ± 0.345%) for the APNE2 gel test compared to a negative control (86.48 ± 0.87%) and standard control (92.82 ± 0.34%). Thus, the formulation of ANE4-loaded chitosan gels is an efficient topical treatment strategy for inflammatory and wound healing conditions.

Wound Healing Activity of Nanoemulgel Containing Artocarpus lakoocha Roxb. Extract on Burns Model in Rat

BACKGROUND: The content of secondary metabolites in mobe leaves has the potential to be used in wound healing. Artocarpine, one of the secondary metabolites found in mobe leaves, is reported to affect the expression of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) protein, thereby increasing fibroblast cell proliferation and accelerating the wound healing process. AIM: This study aims to determine the wound healing activity of nanoemulgel-containing ethanol extract of mobe leaves. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The method used in this study was experimental using chemicals ethanol 96%, Carbopol 940, PEG 400, Propylene glycol, Methyl Paraben, Propyl Paraben, Triethanolamine, Aqua Destillata. Mode leaves which were taken purposively were then formulated in nanoemulgel preparations which were tested for wound healing in male rats. The nanoemulgel preparation was then evaluated which included homogeneity, emulsion type, pH, viscosity, dispersion, and measurement of the nanoemulgel globules of mobe leaf extract, stability of the nanoemulgel preparation. Tests for the healing effect of burns were carried out on male rats for 14 days. RESULTS: Mobe leaves ethanol extract can be formulated into nanoemulgel dosage forms. This study showed wound healing activity of nanoemulgels with concentration variation of mobe leaves ethanol extract. The percentage of wound diameter reducing and fibroblast cells value were showed to increase and significantly different to negative control (p < 0.05) in 14 days. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB and TGF-β1 immunoexpression evaluation result showed significantly different to Blanko group (p < 0.05) in 14-day observation. CONCLUSION: From this study, nanoemulgel mobe can stimulate more fibroblast cell proliferation by greatly expressing TGF-β1 and PDGF BB in burn wounds.

Novel Formulation of Fusidic Acid Incorporated into a Myrrh-Oil-Based Nanoemulgel for the Enhancement of Skin Bacterial Infection Treatment

Fusidic acid (FA) is renowned as an effective bacteriostatic agent obtained from the fungus Fusidium coccineum, used for treating various eye and skin disorders. The objective of the present study was to develop, characterize, and evaluate the antibacterial activity of a novel FA nanoemulgel for topical skin application. Primarily, various fusidic acid nanoemulsion formulations were fabricated using different concentrations of myrrh essential oil, Tween 80 as a surfactant, and Transcutol® P as a co-surfactant. A Box−Behnken design was employed to select the optimized FA nanoemulsion formulation, based on the evaluated particle size and % of in vitro release as dependent variables. The optimized formula was incorporated within a hydrogel to obtain an FA nanoemulgel (FA-NEG) preparation. The formulated FA-NEG was evaluated for its visual appearance, pH, viscosity, and spreadability, compared to its corresponding prepared fusidic acid gel. In vitro release, kinetic study, and ex vivo drug permeation were implemented, followed by formulation stability testing. The FA-NEG exhibited a smooth and homogeneous appearance, pH value (6.61), viscosity (25,265 cP), and spreadability (33.6 mm), which were all good characteristics for appropriate topical application. A total of 59.3% of FA was released from the FA-NEG after 3 h. The ex vivo skin permeability of the FA-NEG was significantly enhanced by 3.10 ± 0.13-fold, showing SSTF of 111.2 ± 4.5 µg/cm2·h when compared to other formulations under investigation (p < 0.05). No irritation was observed upon applying the FA-NEG to animal skin. Eventually, it was revealed that the FA-NEG displayed improved antibacterial activity against a wide variety of bacteria when compared to its corresponding FA gel and marketed cream, indicating the prospective antibacterial effect of myrrh essential oil. In conclusion, the recommended formulation offers a promising antibacterial approach for skin infections.

Preparation and Characterization of Curcumin Nanoemulgel Utilizing Ultrasonication Technique for Wound Healing: In Vitro, Ex Vivo, and In Vivo Evaluation

Hydrogels being a drug delivery system has great significance particularly for topical application in cutaneous open wound. Its specific physicochemical properties such as non-adhesiveness, moisture retention, exudate absorption, and gas permeability make them ideal as a drug delivery vehicle for wound healing application. Further, curcumin (a natural bioactive) was selected as a therapeutic agent to incorporate into the hydrogel system to design and develop nanogel pharmaceutical products for wound healing. Although, curcumin possesses remarkable anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-infective activity along with hastening the healing process by acting over the different stages of the wound healing process, but its poor biopharmaceutical (low aqueous solubility and skin penetrability) attributes hamper their therapeutic efficacy for skin applications. The current investigation aimed to develop the curcumin-loaded nanogel system and evaluated to check the improvement in the therapeutic efficacy of curcumin through a nanomedicine-based approach for wound healing activity in Wistar rats. The curcumin was enclosed inside the nanoemulsion system prepared through a high-energy ultrasonic emulsification technique at a minimum concentration of surfactant required to nanoemulsify the curcumin-loaded oil system (Labrafac PG) having droplet size 56.25 ± 0.69 nm with polydispersity index 0.05 ± 0.01 and negatively surface charge with zeta potential −20.26 ± 0.65 mV. It was observed that the impact of Smix (surfactant/co-surfactant mixture) ratio on droplet size of generated nanoemulsion is more pronounced at lower Smix concentration (25%) compared to the higher Smix concentration (30%). The optimized curcumin-loaded nanoemulsion was incorporated into a 0.5% Carbopol^® 940 hydrogel system for topical application. The developed curcumin nanoemulgel exhibited thixotropic rheological behavior and a significant (p < 0.05) increase in skin penetrability characteristics compared to curcumin dispersed in conventional hydrogel system. The in vivo wound healing efficacy study and histological examination of healed tissue specimen further signify the role of the nanomedicine-based approach to improve the biopharmaceutical attributes of curcumin.