“…Levofloxacin has been successful in many wound-healing applications [16,20]. Previous studies have used levofloxacin concentrations at a range of 0.5-1.5% for tissue engineering applications, with similar values observed for topical administration to the eye [44,45]. LFX has been used extensively in the treatment of ocular infection.…”
Section: Discussionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Lower concentrations of 0.5-1.5% have been widely investigated and proven beneficial in the topical applications of LFX in eradicating commonly exposed bacteria such as S. aureus and E. coli [19,44,45]; therefore, in this study, higher concentrations were also used in order to investigate any potential benefits.…”
The treatment strategy required for the effective healing of diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a complex process that is requiring several combined therapeutic approaches. As a result, there is a significant clinical and economic burden associated in treating DFU. Furthermore, these treatments are often unsuccessful, commonly resulting in lower-limb amputation. The use of drug-loaded scaffolds to treat DFU has previously been investigated using electrospinning and fused deposition modelling (FDM) 3D printing techniques; however, the rapidly evolving field of bioprinting is creating new opportunities for innovation within this research area. In this study, 3D-bioprinted scaffolds with different designs have been fabricated for the delivery of an antibiotic (levoflocixin) to DFU. The scaffolds were fully characterised by a variety of techniques (e.g. SEM, DSC/TGA, FTIR, and mechanical characterisation), demonstrating excellent mechanical properties and providing sustained drug release for 4 weeks. This proof of concept study demonstrates the innovative potential of bioprinting technologies in fabrication of antibiotic scaffolds for the treatment of DFU.
Graphical abstract
“…Levofloxacin has been successful in many wound-healing applications [16,20]. Previous studies have used levofloxacin concentrations at a range of 0.5-1.5% for tissue engineering applications, with similar values observed for topical administration to the eye [44,45]. LFX has been used extensively in the treatment of ocular infection.…”
Section: Discussionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Lower concentrations of 0.5-1.5% have been widely investigated and proven beneficial in the topical applications of LFX in eradicating commonly exposed bacteria such as S. aureus and E. coli [19,44,45]; therefore, in this study, higher concentrations were also used in order to investigate any potential benefits.…”
The treatment strategy required for the effective healing of diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a complex process that is requiring several combined therapeutic approaches. As a result, there is a significant clinical and economic burden associated in treating DFU. Furthermore, these treatments are often unsuccessful, commonly resulting in lower-limb amputation. The use of drug-loaded scaffolds to treat DFU has previously been investigated using electrospinning and fused deposition modelling (FDM) 3D printing techniques; however, the rapidly evolving field of bioprinting is creating new opportunities for innovation within this research area. In this study, 3D-bioprinted scaffolds with different designs have been fabricated for the delivery of an antibiotic (levoflocixin) to DFU. The scaffolds were fully characterised by a variety of techniques (e.g. SEM, DSC/TGA, FTIR, and mechanical characterisation), demonstrating excellent mechanical properties and providing sustained drug release for 4 weeks. This proof of concept study demonstrates the innovative potential of bioprinting technologies in fabrication of antibiotic scaffolds for the treatment of DFU.
Graphical abstract
“…Concordantly, the drug release rate from the formulations and movement of drugs throughout were significantly enhanced. 21 , 24 Figure 4 The SEM images of NE (F1), Pure 2 compound-loaded NE (F2), and chitosan-based nanoemulsion gel (F3). …”
Purpose
Microbial resistance to antibiotics is one of the most important public health concerns of the 21
st
century. We isolated, purified, and structurally elucidated antifungal secondary metabolites from red soil microbes and encapsulated them into chitosan (CS)-based nanoemulsion (NE) gel (NEG).
Methods
Three compounds were isolated and purified of which only one compound (Pure 2) showed potent antifungal activity (MFC: 8–132 µg/mL), which was also significantly (
P
<0.05) more efficient than fluconazole (MFC: 32–132 µg/mL). Pure 2 was structurally elucidated using 1D- and 2D-NMR before its incorporation into NEG. The formulations were prepared by high-speed homogenization technique. Physicochemical and pharmacological characterizations of formulations (ie, droplet size, PDI, zeta potential, drug content, viscosity, SEM, FTIR, spreadability, in vitro drug release, ex vivo permeation, in vitro antifungal and in vivo antifungal activities) were assessed.
Results
NMR analyses identified the compound as a derivative of phthalic acid ester (PAE). The optimized formulations displayed a droplet size <100 nm, -ve zeta potential, and PDI <0.45. The drug content was within the official limit of pharmacopeia (ie, 100±10%). Insignificant changes (
P
>0.05) in the viscosity of the formulations stored were observed. The morphology of the formulations indicated mesh-like structure. The FTIR study indicated that there were no interactions between the drug and other ingredients of the formulations. Optimum spreadability was observed in all formulations. NEG released 75.3±1.12% of Pure 2 after 12 hrs while NE released 85.33±1.88% of the compound. The skin permeation of F2 (71.15±1.28%) was significantly different (
P
<0.05) from F3 (81.80±1.91%) in rabbits. Complete and apparently safe recovery from the fungal infection was achieved in rabbits treated topically with Pure 2-loaded NEGs.
Conclusion
Hence, the NEG-loaded PAE isolated from
Pseudomonas fluorescens
represents a possible alternative for the treatment of fungal infections as compared to available therapies.
“…Thus, Valizadeh et al concluded that the nanoemulsion gel can be a promising material for diabetic wound healing by controlling the state of infection and helping to trigger the healing process. 100 Natural oils act as the oil phase in the formulation of nanoemulsions. Drug-loaded nanoemulsions show beneficial effects on different phases of the diabetic wound healing process such as collagen synthesis, fibroplasia and wound contraction, resulting in faster wound healing potential.…”
Section: Nanomaterial-based Therapies For Diabetic Foot Ulcersmentioning
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a predominant chronic metabolic syndrome resulting in various complications and high mortality associated with Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU). Approximately 15-30 % of the diabetic patients suffer...
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