Novel surfactant-based elastic vesicular system as a promising approach for the topical delivery of Ibuprofen for enhanced wound healing

The objective of the research was to develop and evaluate ibuprofen (Ibu) loaded spanlastics as an efficient wound healing treatment. Ibu- loaded vesicles were prepared employing ethanol injection technique using three edge activators; Tego® care 450, Cremophor RH 40 and Crodafos™ CES along with Span 60. Entrapment efficiency percentage (EE%), vesicular size and zeta potential were evaluated to select the optimal formulations. In- vitro release study, differential scanning calorimetry, xray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy were performed. Selected formulations were incorporated in a hydrogel to assess their in-vivo wound healing efficiency using full-thickness wound model. The vesicles exhibited high EE% (60.6-93.9 %), particle size ranged from 114.8 to 663.5 nm and zeta potential was from -26.2 to -42.3 mV which indicated good stability. In-vitro release pattern was biphasic. In-vivo assessment of wound healing efficacy of selected Ibu-loaded spanlastics disclosed significant reduction of wound size. A significant inhibition in TNF-α secretion as well as increased production of VEGF and Col-1 were noticed in rats treated with topical application of Ibu-spanlastics and an almost normal histological structure was observed in their microphotographs. These results confirmed that spanlastics might be a peculiar delivery system for Ibu to improve its topical wound healing efficacy.