A Kangfuxin-Loaded Lipid Gel for the Management of Radiation Dermatitis: Repair and Protection

Radiation therapy often causes oxidative stress and inflammation in normal tissues due to the generation of excessive radiation-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS). This can subsequently lead to radiation-induced skin injury (RISI), which manifests as tissue damage ranging from dermatitis to ulcers. One approach to addressing these challenges is to develop biocompatible functional materials that can facilitate repair and improve treatment tolerance by neutralizing ROS. In this study, a water-responsive lipid gel (LG) delivery system was constructed using Kangfuxin liquid (KFX, the ethanol extract of Periplaneta americana L.), soybean lecithin (SPC), and glycerol dioleate (GDO), based on KFX’s broad-spectrum free radical scavenging ability, anti-inflammatory properties, and prorepair properties. Due to the molecular self-assembly properties of SPC and GDO, the KFX LG system can physically cross-link to form an in situ gel barrier upon contact with water. The barrier exhibits exceptional tissue adhesion, long-term slow-release properties, and good biocompatibility. The versatile KFX LG system has also been found to effectively remove various types of free radicals and reduce levels of proinflammatory factors. In a mouse model of radiation dermatitis, the radioprotective properties of the KFX lipid gel were demonstrated to be effective in alleviating radiation dermatitis. This study explored the radioprotective potential of KFX LG biomaterials in the context of radiation dermatitis, highlighting the application of radioprotectants as a promising RISI treatment strategy.