Thymoquinone loaded nanoemulgel in streptozotocin induced diabetic wound

<b>Aim:</b> To treat diabetic wound healing with a novel Thymoquinone (TQ) loaded nanoformulation by using combination of essentials oils.<b>Methods:</b> TQ nanoemulsion (NE) was developed with seabuckthorn & lavender essential oils by phase inversion method and mixture design. Further, DIAGEL is obtained by incorporating NE into 1% carbopol^®934. Furthermore, particle size, polydispersity index, thermodynamic stability studies, rheology, spreadability, drug content, <i>in-vitro</i> drug release, <i>ex-vivo</i> permeation, anti-oxidant assay, antimicrobial studies, angioirritance, HAT-CAM assay, <i>in-vitro</i> and <i>in-vivo</i> studies were determined.<b>Results:</b> NE has a particle size of 17.79 ± 0.61 nm, 0.206 ± 0.012 PDI & found to be thermodynamically stable. DIAGEL exhibited pseudoplastic behavior, sustained drug release, better permeation of TQ and a drug content of 98.54 ± 0.08%. DIAGEL stored for 6 months at room temperature and 2-8°C showed no degradation. Further, an improved angiogenesis, absence of angio-irritancy, remarkable antioxidant and antimicrobial activities against <i>Candida albicans</i> & <i>S. aureus</i> were observed. Cytotoxicity analysis revealed nearly 2.28 -folds higher IC50 value than drug solution. Furthermore, inflammatory mediators were reduced in DIAGEL treated animal groups. The histopathological studies confirmed skin healing with regeneration and granulation of tissue.<b>Conclusion:</b> The novel formulation has strong anti-inflammatory, angiogenesis, antioxidant and appreciable diabetic wound healing properties.