A New Wound-Healing Tool Based on <i>Glycyrrhiza glabra</i> Extract-Loaded Ufasomes on Spanish Broom Dressings
Simone Rossello,
Manuela Mandrone,
Teresa Cerchiara,
Ilaria Chiocchio,
Martina Rossi,
Fabio Chinnici,
Valentina Sallustio,
Maria Aponte,
Giuseppe Blaiotta,
Barbara Luppi,
Angela Abruzzo,
Federica Bigucci,
Concettina Cappadone
Affiliations
Simone Rossello
Drug Delivery Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Via San Donato 19/2, 40127 Bologna, Italy
Manuela Mandrone
Pharmaceutical Botany Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 42, 40127 Bologna, Italy
Teresa Cerchiara
Drug Delivery Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Via San Donato 19/2, 40127 Bologna, Italy
Ilaria Chiocchio
Pharmaceutical Botany Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 42, 40127 Bologna, Italy
Martina Rossi
Pharmaceutical Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Via San Donato 19/2, 40127 Bologna, Italy
Fabio Chinnici
Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Viale Fanin 40, 40127 Bologna, Italy
Valentina Sallustio
Drug Delivery Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Via San Donato 19/2, 40127 Bologna, Italy
Maria Aponte
Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80055 Portici, Italy
Giuseppe Blaiotta
Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80055 Portici, Italy
Barbara Luppi
Drug Delivery Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Via San Donato 19/2, 40127 Bologna, Italy
Angela Abruzzo
Drug Delivery Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Via San Donato 19/2, 40127 Bologna, Italy
Federica Bigucci
Drug Delivery Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Via San Donato 19/2, 40127 Bologna, Italy
Concettina Cappadone
Pharmaceutical Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Via San Donato 19/2, 40127 Bologna, Italy
The development of innovative products for restoring skin integrity and promoting wound healing is still a challenge. The aim of this work was to evaluate an innovative Spanish broom wound dressing impregnated with Glycyrrhiza glabra extract-loaded ufasomes to improve wound healing. Ufasomes were characterized in terms of size, polydispersity index, entrapment efficiency, zeta potential, and stability. In addition, in vitro release studies and biocompatibility, biosafety, and scratch tests on WS1 fibroblasts were performed. The loaded ufasomes showed a nanometric size (<250 nm), good size distribution (lower than 0.3), and appropriate encapsulation efficiency (~67%). Moreover, the lipid vesicles showed good stability during the storage period and allowed for a slow release of glycyrrhizin, the main bioactive compound of the extract. Biological studies revealed that loaded vesicles are not cytotoxic, are hemocompatible, and lead to the complete closure of the scratch after about 33 h. To conclude, the results suggest that the developed dressings can be efficiently used to promote the healing process.
