Cubosomes hydrogel containing silver based organometallic compounds for enhanced wound healing of burns: In vitro and in vivo studies

• Published in: INORGANIC CHEMISTRY COMMUNICATIONS
• Main Authors: Farooq, Umer; Hayat, Sofia; Nawaz, Maubashera; Nee, Tan Wen; Khaw, Kooi Yeong; Iqbal, Muhammad Adnan; Khalid, Syed Haroon; Masood, Tanzeela; Ijaz, Muhammad Umar; Yaqoob, Munazzah
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: ELSEVIER 2024
• Subjects: Chemistry
• Online Access: https://www-webofscience-com.uitm.idm.oclc.org/wos/woscc/full-record/WOS:001360015000001
• ISSN: 1387-7003; 1879-0259
• DOI: 10.1016/j.inoche.2024.113504

The aim of this study is to investigate the treatment of burn wounds and bacterial infections, specifically focusing on silver(I) N-heterocyclic carbene (Ag-NHC) loaded into cubosomes. Ag-NHC is an organometallic complex of silver (Ag) and can be considered an active pharmaceutical ingredient for the topical treatment of burns. A novel nanoparticle system, cubosome dispersions, was formulated using high pressure homogenization methods with different concentrations of lipid phase glyceryl monooleate (GMO), surfactants such as poloxamer 407 (F-127), and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The optimized formulation (U-6) was characterized by in vitro drug release profile (90.54 +/- 1.17 %), particle size (126.7 +/- 0.98 nm), zeta potential (-21.6 +/- 6.83 mV), entrapment efficiency (89.30 +/- 1.46 %), and morphology as observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The U-6 formulation was incorporated into a hydrogel containing Carbopol 940 to form a cubosomal hydrogel (cubogel). The cubogel was characterized by the in vitro release of Ag-NHC (92 %), entrapment efficiency (>90 %), pH (5.3), viscosity (1.2 cP), spreadability, and TEM. From the in vitro drug release pattern, it was concluded that the U-6 formulation showed slow and sustained drug release over 24 h, and demonstrated superior burn healing compared to marketed products. The in vivo wound healing study revealed that the cubogel demonstrated a superior burn healing rate compared to commercially available products (Quench (R) and Clotrimazole (R)). The in vivo histopathological results showed that the prepared cubogel was effective in treating second-degree burns, with no side effects or skin irritation, compared to commercial products. Additionally, Ag-NHC-loaded cubogel facilitated sustained release for treating burn wounds without any bacterial infections. The current findings provide a strong basis for the initiating phase 0 clinal trials, highlighting significant potential for the further research to benefit the pharmaceutical industry.