Development of curcumin-loaded liposomes in lysine–collagen hydrogel for surgical wound healing

Abstract

Background A surgical wound is an incision made by a surgeon. Slow surgical wound healing may lead to chronic wounds which may be a potential health problem. The aim of this study is to formulate curcumin-loaded liposomes in lysine–collagen hydrogel for enhancing surgical wound healing. Curcumin-loaded liposomes were prepared using thin-film hydration method. The liposomal formulation was characterized by analysing its size, morphology, encapsulation efficiency, and in vitro release. The hydrogel base was prepared, and then, curcumin-loaded liposomes were infused to give formulation (F1). Curcumin-loaded liposomes were infused into the hydrogel base after which lysine and collagen were incorporated to give (F2), while (F3) comprised lysine and collagen incorporated in hydrogel base. All formulations were characterized by evaluation of the safety, stability, swelling index, pH, rheological properties, and in vivo wound healing assay. Histology and histomorphometry of tissue samples of wound area treated with formulations F1, F2, and F3 and the control, respectively, were examined. Results Curcumin-loaded liposomes were 5–10 µm in size, and the values for encapsulation efficiency and flux of the loaded liposomes are 99.934% and 51.229 µg/cm2/h, respectively. Formulations F1, F2, and F3 had a pH of 5.8. F1 had the highest viscosity, while F2 had the highest swelling index indications for efficient sustained release of drug from the formulation. The in vivo wound healing evaluation showed that curcumin-loaded liposomes in lysine–collagen hydrogel had the highest percentage wound contraction at 79.25% by day three post-surgical operation. Histological evaluation reflected a normal physiological structure of the layers of the epidermis and dermis after surgical wound healing in tissue samples from wound areas treated with formulations F1 and F2. The histomorphometrical values show highest percentage of collagen, lowest inflammatory rates, highest presence of microvessels, and re-epithelization rates at wound site in wounds treated with formulation F2 (curcumin-loaded liposomes in lysine–collagen hydrogel). Conclusion Curcumin-loaded liposomes in lysine–collagen hydrogel was found to be the most effective of the three formulations in promoting wound healing. Hence, this formulation can serve as a prototype for further development and has great potential as a smart wound dressing for the treatment of surgical wounds.

Different Curcumin-Loaded Delivery Systems for Wound Healing Applications: A Comprehensive Review

“…Cardoso-Daodu et al succeeded in formulating lysine–collagen hydrogel-containing curcumin-loaded liposomes. In vivo results on 15 male Wistar rats, weighing 350–400 g, showed that after 3 days of the surgical procedure, the nanohydrogel formulation had the highest percentage wound contraction and closure of 79.25% compared to the control group, which showed complete closure by day 14 post-surgery with obvious scarification [ 104 ].…”

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

“…The data showed that hydrogels containing LP had the highest percentage of wound contraction, presenting epidermis and dermis layers with a normal physiological structure. Corroborating these findings, the histomorphometric values showed the highest percentage of collagen, lowest inflammatory rates, highest presence of microvessels, and reepithelization rates at the wound site in animals treated with nano-based formulation [ 91 ]. Given the great water adsorption, bioadhesive property, and sustained release of the actives from the nano-based hydrogel, the wound healing of rats was greatly enhanced in comparison to the other groups, suggesting that the association of phytochemical with LP can greatly promote the rate of wound healing.…”

“…Similarly, curcumin has been shown to possess relevant wound-healing properties, by improving granulation tissue formation, collagen deposition, tissue remodeling, and wound contraction [ 131 ]. Hydrogels containing LP of quercetin [ 67 ] or curcumin [ 91 ] were already investigated as potential healing enhancer candidates. The nanocarriers were composed of phosphatidylcholine and produced using the thin lipid film hydration method.…”

“…The nanocarriers were composed of phosphatidylcholine and produced using the thin lipid film hydration method. Previous to LP incorporation, the hydrogel scaffolds were obtained by optimized gelatin to Carbopol ® ratio [ 67 ] or 2% Carbopol ® ( w / v ) [ 91 ]. The rheological behavior of the hydrogel containing curcumin-loaded LP demonstrated a non-Newtonian flow, which is a desirable feature to enable easy spread onto the skin.…”

“…Curcumin has already been discussed herein, associated with NE, LP, and SLN [ 82 , 85 , 91 ]. In another approach, Alibolandi and co-workers prepared a wound device composed of dextran hydrogels and incorporated curcumin-loaded polylactic acid–polyethylene glycol (PLA–PEG) nanomicelles into the semisolid.…”