Nanostructured lipid carriers containing chitosan or sodium alginate for co-encapsulation of antioxidants and an antimicrobial agent for potential application in wound healing

The high incidence and costs of chronic wounds in the elderly have motivated the search for innovations to improve product performance and the healing process while reducing costs. In this study, bioadhesive nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) were developed for the co-encapsulation of compounds with antioxidant (a-tocopherol and quercetin) and antimicrobial (tea tree oil) activity for management of wounds. The NLC was produced with shea butter and argan oil, and modified with sodium alginate or chitosan to confer bioadhesive properties. Spherical nanoparticles of similar to 307-330 nm and zeta potential varying from -21.2 to +11.8 mV were obtained. Thermal analysis demonstrated that the lipid matrix reduced tea tree oil thermal loss (similar to 1.8-fold). Regardless of the type of polysaccharide employed, the NLCs promoted cutaneous localization of antioxidants in damaged (subjected to incision) skin, with a similar to 74 to 180-fold higher delivery into the skin compared to percutaneous delivery. This result is consistent with the similar bioadhesive properties of chitosan or sodium alginate-modified NLC. Nanoencapsulation of tea tree oil did not preclude its antimicrobial effects against susceptible and resistant strains of S. aureus and P. aeruginosa, while co-encapsulation of antioxidants increased the NLC-induced fibroblasts migration, supporting their potential usefulness for management of wounds. (C) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The study developed bioadhesive nanostructured lipid carriers for the management of chronic wounds in elderly individuals, effectively delivering antioxidants and antimicrobial agents to improve treatment outcomes. The results demonstrated significant localization of the carriers in damaged skin, along with antimicrobial effects and stimulation of fibroblast migration.