Glibenclamide Nanocrystal-Loaded Bioactive Polymeric Scaffolds for Skin Regeneration: In Vitro Characterization and Preclinical Evaluation

Abstract

Skin restoration following full-thickness injury poses significant clinical challenges including inflammation and scarring. Medicated scaffolds formulated from natural bioactive polymers present an attractive platform for promoting wound healing. Glibenclamide was formulated in collagen/chitosan composite scaffolds to fulfill this aim. Glibenclamide was forged into nanocrystals with optimized colloidal properties (particle size of 352.2 nm, and polydispersity index of 0.29) using Kolliphor as a stabilizer to allow loading into the hydrophilic polymeric matrix. Scaffolds were prepared by the freeze drying method using different total polymer contents (3–6%) and collagen/chitosan ratios (0.25–2). A total polymer content of 3% at a collagen/chitosan ratio of 2:1 (SCGL3-2) was selected based on the results of in vitro characterization including the swelling index (1095.21), porosity (94.08%), mechanical strength, rate of degradation and in vitro drug release. SCGL3-2 was shown to be hemocompatible based on the results of protein binding, blood clotting and percentage hemolysis assays. In vitro cell culture studies on HSF cells demonstrated the biocompatibility of nanocrystals and SCGL3-2. In vivo studies on a rat model of a full-thickness wound presented rapid closure with enhanced histological and immunohistochemical parameters, revealing the success of the scaffold in reducing inflammation and promoting wound healing without scar formation. Hence, SCGL3-2 could be considered a potential dermal substitute for skin regeneration.

Novel tetrahydrocurcumin integrated mucoadhesive nanocomposite κ-carrageenan/xanthan gum sponges: a strategy for effective local treatment of oral cancerous and precancerous lesions

“…Sponges were immersed in 40 mL of phosphate buffer (PB, pH 6.8) at 37 °C. The sponges were removed at predefined time intervals (50, 100, 150, 200, 250, and 300 min) and weighed after blotting excess water on filter paper (Youssef et al., 2021 ). The percentage swelling was calculated from Equation 4 : where W d was the dry weight and W w was the weight after immersion in PB.…”

Correction: Youssef et al. Glibenclamide Nanocrystal-Loaded Bioactive Polymeric Scaffolds for Skin Regeneration: In Vitro Characterization and Preclinical Evaluation. Pharmaceutics 2021, 13, 1469

“…In the original publication [1], there was a mistake in the legend for Figure 9 "Histological evaluation of skin at days 7, 14 and 28 post-excision". And there was a mistake in Figure 9A, in NC-GL group the same image appears for days 21 and 28.…”