Potential Use of Tailored Citicoline Chitosan-Coated Liposomes for Effective Wound Healing in Diabetic Rat Model

Purpose: This study aimed to formulate citicoline-loaded chitosan-coated liposomes (CT-CS-LPs) for topical administration and evaluated for wound healing in a diabetic animal model. Methods: CT-LPs were formulated via a thin-film hydration approach and coated with chitosan (CS). Box-Behnken statistical design investigated the effects of lipid amount, chitosan concentration, and cholesterol amount on vesicle diameter, surface charge, and entrapment efficiency. The potential of the optimized CT-CS-LPs gel for wound healing was further evaluated in streptozocin-induced diabetic rats. The different healing stages were evaluated by several techniques, including general and special staining techniques, in addition to antibody immunohistochemistry. Results: The optimized CT-CS-LPs obtained had a mean size of 211.6 nm, a 50.7% entrapment efficiency, and a positive surface charge of 32.1 mV. In addition, the optimized CT-CS-LPs exhibited in vitro sustained release behavior. The in vivo experiments revealed that treatment with the optimized CT-CS-LPs boosts the healing process of the skin wound in diabetic rats by reducing inflammation, accelerating re-epithelization, angiogenesis, fibroblast proliferation, and connective tissue remodeling, leading to rapid wound closure. Conclusion: Chitosan-coated liposomes containing citicoline have emerged as a potential approach for promoting the healing process in diabetic rats. However, the therapeutic effectiveness of the suggested approach in diabetic patients needs to be investigated.

Automated summary

The purpose of this study was to develop citicoline-loaded chitosan-coated liposomes for topical application and evaluate their wound healing effects in a diabetic animal model. The optimized CT-CS-LPs showed promising results in promoting skin wound healing in diabetic rats. This study provides a potential approach for treating wound healing in diabetic patients.