Pioglitazone-Loaded Nanostructured Hybrid Material for Skin Ulcer Treatment

Abstract

Pioglitazone, a popular antidiabetic drug, which was recently shown to be effective in the treatment of skin ulcers, was successfully encapsulated in polysaccharide nanoparticles and used as a bioactive component of the wound-dressing material based on modified bacterial nanocellulose. Alginate and hydroxypropyl cellulose were used as a matrix for the nanoparticulate drug-delivery system. The matrix composition and particles’ size, as well as drug encapsulation efficiency and loading, were optimized. Pioglitazone hydrochloride (PIO) loaded particles were coated with chitosan introduced into the crosslinking medium, and covalently attached to the surface of bacterial nanocellulose functionalized with carboxyl groups. PIO was released from the surface of the hybrid material in a controlled manner for 5 days. Preliminary cytotoxicity studies confirmed safety of the system at PIO concentrations as high as 20 mg/mL. The obtained hybrid system may have potential application in the treatment of skin ulcers e.g., in diabetic foot.

Pioglitazone, a Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-γ Agonist, Downregulates the Inflammatory Response in Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Patients Without Interfering in Leishmania braziliensis Killing by Monocytes

“…Regarding the effects observed during the use of pioglitazone, it has been mainly reported that it increases insulin sensitivity, interference with lipid homeostasis, and regulation of the inflammatory response. Thus, many efforts have been made in the development of formulations for the topical use of pioglitazone ( Silva-Abreu et al., 2017 ; Nair et al., 2019 ; Rojewska et al., 2020 ), opening new expectations for the treatment of skin diseases such as CL. Indeed, patients with psoriasis treated with topical pioglitazone had a decreased severity in disease score ( Mittal et al., 2009 ; Singh and Anil, 2016 ).…”

Beta-Catenin Signaling Pathway: Perhaps We Should Start Exploring it for Diabetic Foot Ulcer Healing?

“…Experimental evidence points to their potential role as add-on topical agents, but this remains far from certain. 21,22 In conclusion, the WβcSP pathway plays a role in all phases of wound healing. 6 Accordingly, perhaps we should start exploring potential ways of its therapeutic implication to improve DFU healing.…”

“…Experimental evidence points to their potential role as add-on topical agents, but this remains far from certain. 21,22…”

Recent Reports on Polysaccharide-Based Materials for Drug Delivery

“…Therefore it can be considered for the treatment of post-operative wounds. The analogous formulation was used to encapsulate pioglitazone, an antidiabetic drug effective in skin ulcer treatment [ 152 ]. Chitosan had a beneficial effect on drug stability inside the particles and prolonged release up to 5 days.…”