https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7334-9375
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Abstract
Background
Delayed wound healing in skin injuries has become a significant problem in clinics, seriously affecting and even threatening life and health. Recently, research interest has increased in developing wound dressings containing bioactive compounds capable of improving outcomes for complex healing needs.
Methods
In this study, Puerarin-loaded nanoparticles (Pue-NPs) were prepared using the cell-penetrating peptide-poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (CPP-PLGA) as a drug carrier by the emulsified solvent evaporation method. Then, they were added into poly (acrylic acid) to obtain a self-assembled nanocomposite hydrogels (SANHs) drug delivery system using the co-polymerization method. The particle size, zeta potential, and micromorphology of Pue-NPs were measured; the appearance, mechanical properties, adhesive strength, and biological activity of SANHs were performed. Finally, the potential of SANHs for wound healing was further evaluated in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice.
Results
Pue-NPs were regularly spherical, with an average particle size of 134.57 ± 1.42 nm and a zeta potential of 2.14 ± 0.78 mV. SANHs was colorless and transparent with a honeycomb-like porous structure and had an excellent swelling ratio (917%), water vapor transmission rate (3077 g·m−2·day−1), mechanical properties (Young’s modulus of 18 kPa, elongation at break of 307%), and adhesive strength (15.5 kPa). SANHs exhibited sustained release of Pue over 48h, with a cumulative release of 55.60 ± 6.01%. In vitro tests revealed that the SANHs presented a 92.22% antibacterial rate against Escherichia coli after 4h, and a 61.91% scavenging rate of 1.1-diphenyl-2-trinitrophenylhydrazine (DPPH) radical. In vivo experiments showed that SANHs accelerated wound repair by reducing the inflammatory response at the wound site, promoting angiogenesis, and facilitating epidermal regeneration and collagen deposition.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we successfully prepared SANHs. Our results show that SANHs have excellent performance and improves wound healing in diabetic mice model, indicating that it can be used to develop an effective strategy for the treatment of diabetic wounds.
Graphical Abstract
Abbreviations
Pue, Puerarin; Pue-NPs, Puerarin nanoparticles; CPP-PLGA, cell-penetrating peptide-poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid); SANHs, self-assembled nanocomposite hydrogels; PAA-Gel, poly(acrylic acid) hydrogel; 2-HP-β-CD, 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin; PVA, polyvinyl alcohol; WVTR, water vapor transmission rate; DPPH, 1,1-diphenyl-2-trinitrophenylhydrazine; SEM, scanning electron microscopy; TEM, transmission electron microscopy.
Ethics Approval and Informed Consent
The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University approved the study, ensuring that the care and use of animals conformed to the National Institutes of Health guide for the care and use of laboratory animals (Approval Code: gdpulacspf2022158; Approval Date: 2023-3-24).
Consent for Publication
The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
Author Contributions
All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis, and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.
Disclosure
The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.