Innovative Hydrogel Formulation Combining Phycocyanin and Probiotic for Enhancing Skin Regeneration and Accelerated Wound Healing: A Preclinical Investigation in Wistar Rats.
IF 4.4 2区 生物学Q1 BIOTECHNOLOGY & APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
Asmaa Negm El-Dein, Tarek N Soliman, Asmaa Ezzat, Marwa Adel Abd El-Fattah, Hanan Farouk Aly, Eman A Younis, Nasser S Flefil
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Skin repair is a global concern that requires multifunctional wound healing platforms that accelerate healing and shield the wound from external contamination. Phycocyanin (C-PC) is a natural protein that shows favorable characteristics for skin repair. The present study aims to investigate the synergistic wound healing potential of probiotic Pediococcus pentosaceus and C-PC hydrogel formulation. C-PC whey protein nanofibrils (WPINF) were first prepared and evaluated for particle size, % entrapment efficiency, and zeta potential. Selected WPINF was used to prepare several hydrogel formulations which were further evaluated for physical properties and in vitro C-PC release. Formulation with acceptable physical properties and C-PC release was studied for oxidative stress markers, antioxidant biomarkers, and wound healing effect in animal models. WPINF had acceptable particle size (26.59-153.5 nm), % EE (65.76-95.98%), and zeta potential (22.3-26.1 mV). The developed hydrogels exhibited neutral pH values (6.97-7.10), optimal spreadability (5.60-7.50 cm), and viscosity (123-209 Pa). HEC-based hydrogel (F1) showed superior C-PC release which was found to follow Higuchi diffusion. In vivo, hydrogel formulations (with and without probiotic) showed significantly reduced oxidative stress markers, with MDA reduced by 54.76-98.58% and antioxidant biomarkers (GSH and TAC) ensuring successful delivery of therapeutic compounds. Histological analysis showed improved re-epithelialization, reduced inflammation, and well-formed granulation tissue in treated groups, with probiotic-C-PC group demonstrating additional immunomodulatory effects. The study highlights promising potential of C-PC-probiotic hydrogels as a safe and effective biotherapeutics for wound healing, supporting their advancement into further clinical investigations to validate their efficacy in humans.
期刊介绍：
Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins publishes reviews, original articles, letters and short notes and technical/methodological communications aimed at advancing fundamental knowledge and exploration of the applications of probiotics, natural antimicrobial proteins and their derivatives in biomedical, agricultural, veterinary, food, and cosmetic products. The Journal welcomes fundamental research articles and reports on applications of these microorganisms and substances, and encourages structural studies and studies that correlate the structure and functional properties of antimicrobial proteins.
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