Indole-3-carbinol loaded-nanocapsules modulated inflammatory and oxidative damages and increase skin wound healing in rats

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of topically applied hydrogels (HG) containing nanoencapsulated indol-3-carbinol (I3C) and its free form in a rat model of skin wounds. Formulations were topically applied twice a day for five days to the wounds. On days 1, 3, and 6, the wound area was measured to verify the % of regression. On the sixth day, the animals were euthanized for the analysis of the inflammatory and oxidative profile in wounds. The nanocapsules (NC) exhibited physicochemical characteristics compatible with this kind of suspension. After five hours of exposure to ultraviolet C, more than 78% of I3C content in the suspensions was still observed. The NC-I3C did not modify the physicochemical characteristics of HG when compared to the HG base. In the in vivo study, an increase in the size of the wound was observed on the 3rd experimental day, which was lower in the treated groups (mainly in HG-NC-I3C) compared to the control. On the 6th day, HG-I3C, HG-NC-B, and HG-NC-I3C showed lower regression of the wound compared to the control. Additionally, HG-NC-I3C exhibited an anti-inflammatory effect (as observed by decreased levels of interleukin-1B and myeloperoxidase), reduced oxidative damage (by decreased reactive species, lipid peroxidation, and protein carbonylation levels), and increased antioxidant defense (by improved catalase activity and vitamin C levels) compared to the control. The current study showed more satisfactory results in the HG-NC-I3C group than in the free form of I3C in decreasing acute inflammation and oxidative damage in wounds.

HIGHLIGHTS

• I3C nanocapsules exhibited characteristics compatible with this kind of suspension;

• On 3rd day, I3C nanocapsules prevented the increase of wound area;

• I3C nanocapsules decreased oxidative damage in wound tissue;

• Inflammatory proteins were decreased in I3C nanocapsules treated group;

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Keywords:

• Indole
• nanotechnology
• oxidative stress
• antioxidant
• wound repair

Acknowledgments

We gratefully acknowledge UFSM, Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES-BR) and Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This study was partly financed by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior – Brasil (CAPES) – Finance Code 001; Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq); Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do estado do Rio Grande do Sul (FAPERGS) and Pró-reitoria de Pós-Graduação e Pesquisa (PRPGP- PROAP/UFSM).