Comparative evaluation of propolis nanostructured lipid carriers and its crude extract for antioxidants, antimicrobial activity, and skin regeneration potential

Abstract

Background Propolis extracted from beehives has been conferred with natural antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Hence, it has been recommended as a wound healing therapy. This study investigated the additive value of nanotechnology to the herbal extract, (propolis rebuts), after which we examined its efficacy in wound healing. Methods Propolis nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) were first prepared using the emulsion-evaporation-solidification method at three concentrations. Then, we compared their flavonoid and phenolic contents and phenolic contents. Their antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal effects were also investigated after which, the skin regenerative capacity of propolis-NLCs was assessed using full-thickness skin wounds in rabbits. Results This study showed that propolis-NLCs had increased the phenolic and flavonoid contents compared to the raw propolis extract (EXTR) (9-fold and 2-fold, respectively). This increase was reflected in their antioxidant activities, which dramatically increased by 25-fold higher than the propolis-EXTR. Also, propolis-NLCs exhibited a 2-fold higher potent inhibitory effect than propolis-EXTR on Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus), Gram-negative bacterium (Salmonella spp.), and fungus (Candida albicans) microbes (p < 0.0001). Investigations also revealed that treatment of full-thickness skin injuries with propolis-NLCs resulted in significantly higher wound closure compared to propolis-EXTR and the control after two weeks (p < 0.0001). Conclusion With a prominent broad-spectrum antibacterial effect propolis-NLCs exhibited higher skin regenerative potency than propolis-EXTR. We also highlighted the additive impact of nanotechnology on herbal extract, which accounted for the increased flavonoid content and hence a better antioxidant and antimicrobial effect and propose it as a potential therapy for wound healing.

Accelerating wound healing: Unveiling synergistic effects of P25/SWCNT/Ag and P25/rGO/Ag nanocomposites within PRP‐gelatin scaffold, highlighting the synergistic antimicrobial activity

“…The acquired images were subsequently subjected to analysis using image J software (ImageJ 1.53p, Java 1.8.0_112 [64‐bit], USA). The percentage of wound healing was calculated using the following formula [ 32 ] : $$$$\begin{eqnarray*} && {\mathrm{Wound}}\;{\mathrm{healing}}\;{\mathrm{rate}}\;\left( \% \right)\nonumber\\ &&\quad = \frac{{\left( {{\mathrm{Initial}}\;{\mathrm{day}}\;{\mathrm{wound}}\;{\mathrm{size}}-{\mathrm{Specific}}\;{\mathrm{day}}\;{\mathrm{wound}}\;{\mathrm{size}}} \right)}}{{\left( {{\mathrm{Initial}}\;{\mathrm{day}}\;{\mathrm{wound}}\;{\mathrm{size}}} \right)}} \times 100. \end{eqnarray*}$$$$…”

“…acquired images were subsequently subjected to analysis using image J software (ImageJ 1.53p, Java 1.8.0_112 [64-bit], USA). The percentage of wound healing was calculated using the following formula [32] : Wound healing rate (%)…”

Herbal Theranostics: Controlled, Targeted Delivery and Imaging of Herbal Molecules

“…In addition, they suggested nanotechnology as a possible treatment for wound healing by highlighting its additive effect on herbal extract, which improved its antioxidant and antibacterial properties due to the extract's higher flavonoid content (Fig. 4 ) 76 .…”

Applications of propolis-based materials in wound healing

“…Antioxidant activities increased by 25-fold. Twofold higher antimicrobial effect, higher skin regenerative potency, fast wound closure and minimal scar formation Accelerate the healing of the wound, protection from microbial contamination [ 33 ] Collagen hydrolysates with honey-propolis wax, structurally modified as a sponge matrix Regulated wound biochemical markers and upregulated the expression of growth factors, potential capacity to perform wound re-epithelialization and the loading of ground tissue. A significant reduction in inflammation and increased the loading of collagen Enhanced and faster wound healing process [ 34 ] Ethanolic propolis extract and honey Improve cell migration, cell viability, and proliferation of HDF cells Improve wound healing [ 35 ] Propolis (0.4%) and tea tree oil nanoemulsion loaded with clindamycin hydrochloride Enhances re-epithelialization, collagen production and has potent anti-inflammatory properties Efficient local therapy for heal wound effectively [ 36 ] PVA/Chitosan- membrane scaffolds loaded with propolis (0.25, 0.50, % v/v) Promoted cell proliferation and adhesion; and have no genotoxic potential Scaffolds for wound healing applications [ 37 ] Flexible sodium hyaluronate films with encapsulated propolis (8–16%) An increase in hydrophobicity and improvement in mechanical and thermal properties of the obtained films Effective dressings to be applied on infected wounds and dermatology [ 38 ] Propolis nanoparticles (PNPs) Free radical scavenging potential, powerful antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory effects, enhanced collagen production and angiogenesis, thus actively promoting skin wound healing Promising candidates for clinical application in skin wound healing [ 39 ] …”