Preparation and evaluation of polylactic acid/ chitosan nanofibers containing dexpanthenol on diabetic wound healing in rat

Year 2025, Volume: 29 Issue: 5, 1940 - 1949, 01.09.2025

Mitra Mahmoudi Meymand Payam Khazaeli Mohammad Khaksarihadad Saeed Mohammad Soleymani

https://doi.org/10.12991/jrespharm.1763629

Abstract

Poor blood flow and damage to the expression of growth factors cause late healing of diabetic wounds.
Dexpanthenol is an accelerates wound healing and pruritus relief by stimulating epithelialization and granulation in
mild eczemas and dermatoses. Nanofibers have been widely used in wound healing due to their excellent porosity, high
moisture absorption, antibacterial properties, and good oxygen exchange rate. First, the polylactic acid/chitosan
polymer base was synthesized using a microwave device. Solution 2.5% and 5% dexpanthenol were prepared and the
drug was loaded into the polymer base using the reflux system. Then, nanofibers containing dexpanthenol were
prepared using an electrospinning machine. Then, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction technique were
used to identify and determine the structural properties. A cordouan device was used to investigate the particle size
distribution. UV method was used to investigate the optical properties of nanofibers. In the animal study, 24 male rats in
four groups were used and after induction diabetes in rats, ulcers were created using the punch. Then therapeutic
interventions were performed and the wound healing process was measured by measuring the wound area and
calculating the healing percentage. Results of particle size analysis indicating nanofiber formation with the average
particle size of 84.612 nanometers. The images obtained from SEM show the appropriate morphology of the synthesized
nanofibers. The results of an animal study indicate the positive role of nanofibers containing dexpanthenol in the speed
of the wound healing process is faster in the treatment group than in the control group.

Keywords

Chitosan , dexpanthenol , diabetic wound , healing , nanofiber , polylactic acid

References

• Rahman MS, Hossain KS, Das S, Kundu S. Adegoke EO, Rahman MA, Hannan MA, Uddin MJ, Pang MG. Role of Insulin in Health and Disease: An Update. Int J Mol Sci. 2021; 22(12):6403. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22126403
• Kurup R, Ansari AA. A study to identify bacteriological profile and other risk factors among diabetic and non- diabetic foot ulcer patients in a Guyanese hospital setting. Diabetes Metab Syndr. 2019; 13(3): 1871-1876. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsx.2019.04.024
• Kim JH. Investigating Diabetic Foot Pathophysiology and Amputation Prevention Strategies through Behavioral Modification. J Wound Manag Res. 2023; 19(3): 167-172. https://doi.org/10.22467/jwmr.2023.02747
• Schneider R, Mercante LA, Andre RS, Brandão HdM, Mattoso LH, Correa DS. Biocompatible electrospun nanofibers containing cloxacillin: Antibacterial activity and effect of pH on the release profile. React Funct Polym. 2018; 132: 26-35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reactfunctpolym.2018.09.001
• Grip J, Engstad RE, Skjæveland I, Škalko-Basnet N, Isaksson J, Basnet P, Holsæter AM. Beta-glucan-loaded nanofiber dressing improves wound healing in diabetic mice. Eur J Pharm Sci. 2018; 121: 269-280. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejps.2018.05.031
• Chouhan D, Dey N, Bhardwaj N, Mandal BB. Emerging and innovative approaches for wound healing and skin regeneration: Current status and advances. Biomaterials. 2019; 216: 119267. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biomaterials.2019.119267
• Cui C, Sun S, Wu S, Chen S, Ma J, Zhou F. Electrospun chitosan nanofibers for wound healing application. Tissue Eng Part B Rev. 2021; 2: 82-90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engreg.2021.08.001
• Ebner F, Heller A, Rippke F, Tausch I. Topical use of dexpanthenol in skin disorders. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2002; 3: 427-433. https://doi.org/10.2165/00128071-200203060-00005
• Heise R, Skazik C, Marquardt Y, Czaja K, Sebastian K, Kurschat P, Gan L, Denecke B, Ekanayake-Bohlig S, Wilhelm KP. Dexpanthenol modulates gene expression in skin wound healing in vivo. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2012; 25(5): 241-248. https://doi.org/10.1159/000341144
• Karakan T, Ozcan S, Bagcioglu M, Aydın A, Doluoglu OG, Yucel MO, Adalı Y, Yagli OF. The effect of intraurethral dexpanthenol in hypospadias repair: Experimental rabbit study. J Pediatr Urol. 2019; 15(4): 375. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpurol.2019.04.003
• Akkus G , Sert M. Diabetic foot ulcers: A devastating complication of diabetes mellitus continues non-stop in spite of new medical treatment modalities. World J Diabetes. 2022; 13(12): 1106-1121. https://doi.org/10.4239/wjd.v13.i12.1106
• Wojtowicz AM, Oliveira S, Carlson MW, Zawadzka A, Rousseau CF, Baksh D. The importance of both fibroblasts and keratinocytes in a bilayered living cellular construct used in wound healing. Wound Repair Regen. 2014; 22(2): 246-255. https://doi.org/10.1111/wrr.12154
• Widigdo DAM, Sofro ZM, Pangastuti HS, Dachlan I. The Efficacy of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) on Healing of Diabetic Foot Ulcers: A Literature Review. Curr Diabetes Rev. 2024; 20(8): 1-11. https://doi.org/10.2174/0115733998229877230926073555
• Blume PA, Walters J, Payne W, Ayala J, Lantis J. Comparison of negative pressure wound therapy using vacuum- assisted closure with advanced moist wound therapy in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers: a multicenter randomized controlled trial. Diabetes Care. 2008; 31(4): 631-636. http://doi.org/10.2337/dc07-2196
• Shah SA, Sohail M, Khan S, Minhas MU, De Matas M, Sikstone V, Hussain Z, Abbasi M, Kousar M. Biopolymer- based biomaterials for accelerated diabetic wound healing: A critical review. Int J Biol Macromol. 2019; 139: 975- 993. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.08.007
• Hasan A, Morshed M, Memic A, Hassan S, Webster TJ, Marei HE. Nanoparticles in tissue engineering: applications, challenges and prospects. Int J Nanomedicine. 2018; 13: 5637-5655. https://doi.org/10.2147/ijn.S153758
• Choi JS, Leong KW, Yoo HS. In vivo wound healing of diabetic ulcers using electrospun nanofibers immobilized with human epidermal growth factor (EGF). Biomaterials. 2008; 29(5): 587-596. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biomaterials.2007.10.012
• Cai Z, Mo X, Zhang K, Fan, Yin A, He C, Wang H. Fabrication of chitosan/silk fibroin composite nanofibers for wound-dressing applications. Int J Mol Sci. 2010; 11(9): 3529-3539. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms11093529
• Chen JP, Chang GY, Chen JK. Electrospun collagen/chitosan nanofibrous membrane as wound dressing. Colloids Surf A Physicochem Eng Asp. 2008; 313: 183-188. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfa.2007.04.129
• Naves L, Almeida L, Rajamani L. Nanofiber composites in skin tissue engineering. In: Nanofiber composites for biomedical applications. 2017. Elsevier. 275-300. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-100173-8.00011-9
• Kamble P, Sadarani B, Majumdar A, Bhullar S. Nanofiber based drug delivery systems for skin: A promising therapeutic approach. J Drug Deliv Sci Technol. 2017; 41: 124-133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jddst.2017.07.003
• Ahmadi Majd S, Rabbani Khorasgani M, Moshtaghian SJ, Talebi A, Khezri M. Application of Chitosan/PVA Nano fiber as a potential wound dressing for streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Int J Biol Macromol. 2016; 92: 1162- 1168. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2016.06.035
• Cho YS, Kim HO, Woo SM, Lee DH. Use of Dexpanthenol for Atopic Dermatitis-Benefits and Recommendations Based on Current Evidence. J Clin Med. 2022; 11(14): 3943. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11143943
• Bakhtar B. Amazing Topical Protocol and Novel Powder Dressing Combination Formula in Treatment of Diabetic Foot Wounds. Iran J Public Health. 2013; 42(11): 1327-1328.
• Ulger BV, Kapan M, Uslukaya O, Bozdag Z, Turkoglu A, Alabalık U, Onder A. Comparing the effects of nebivolol and dexpanthenol on wound healing: an experimental study. Int Wound J. 2016; 13(3): 367-371. https://doi.org/10.1111/iwj.12314
• Proksch E, de Bony R, Trapp S, Boudon S. Topical use of dexpanthenol: a 70th anniversary article. J Dermatolog Treat. 2017; 28(8): 766-773. https://doi.org/10.1080/09546634.2017.1325310
• Demirci B, Demir O, Dost T, Birincioglu M. Protective effect of vitamin B5 (dexpanthenol) on cardiovascular damage induced by streptozocin in rats. Bratisl Lek Listy. 2014; 115(4): 190-196. https://doi.org/10.4149/bll_2014_040
• Ghasemi A , Jeddi S. Streptozotocin as a tool for induction of rat models of diabetes: a practical guide. Excli J. 2023; 22: 274-294. https://doi.org/10.17179/excli2022-5720
• Khazaeli P, Alaei M, Khaksarihadad M, Ranjbar M. Preparation of PLA/chitosan nanoscaffolds containing cod liver oil and experimental diabetic wound healing in male rats study. J Nanobiotechnology. 2020; 18(1): 176. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12951-020-00737-9
• Cai Z, Li F, Rong M, Lin L, Yao Q, Huang Y, Chen X, Wang X, Chapter 1 – Introduction. In:Novel Nanomaterials for Biomedical, Environmental and Energy Applications, X. Wang and X. Chen, Editors. Elsevier 2019. 1-36. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-814497-8.00001-1