Naringenin loaded nanomicelles effect on second-degree burn in Balb/c mice: A promising formulation for wound healing

Burns can cause long-term complications and require immediate and effective treatment in patients. The therapeutic potential of naringenin (NG) is hampered by its hydrophobic nature. To improve the bioavailability and efficacy of NG in experimental burn wounds in mice, NG-loaded nanomicelles (NGMs) were prepared using the thin-film hydration method. The characterization of the formulation in different concentrations (0.3 %, 0.6 %, and 1.25 %) was carried out using HPLC, DLS, and TEM techniques. A second-degree burn was inflicted on the back of the mice for evaluation of NGM efficacy. The NGM formulation was evaluated topically on the treated mice for wound recovery, improvement of histological and immunohistochemical parameters, and in vitro antibacterial activity. The effect of NGMs on wound healing was evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Masson’s trichrome staining (MT), and expression of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and nuclear factor-κB (NFκ-B) using immunohistochemistry (IHC). The characterization tests revealed nanosized micelles with dimensions around 7 nm and a high entrapment efficiency percentage of NG which had sustained release behavior. Wound healing was significantly faster in mice treated with NGMs (0.3 %) compared to other concentrations, silver sulfadiazine (SSD), and an untreated group. IHC analysis of mice receiving NGMs (0.3 %) showed a significant reduction in NFκ-B, while TGF-β1 was increased. In addition, NGMs exhibited significant bactericidal activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in vitro. These findings show that NGMs accelerate the wound-healing process and lead to regeneration of the epidermis without the need for additional medication.