Vanillic Acid-Loaded Niosomes for Diabetic Wound Healing: Formulation, Optimization by Box-Behnken Design, and In...

Area of Science:

• Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Biotechnology
• Materials Science

Background:

• Vanillic acid possesses antioxidant properties but suffers from poor aqueous solubility, limiting its therapeutic use.
• Diabetic wound healing is a complex process often impaired by oxidative stress and poor vascularization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and optimize a niosomal formulation of vanillic acid to enhance its solubility and antioxidant potential.
• To evaluate the efficacy of nano-encapsulated vanillic acid in promoting diabetic wound healing in a rat model.

Main Methods:

• Niosomes were prepared using Span 60 and cholesterol via thin-film hydration and sonication.
• Formulation optimization was performed using a Box-Behnken design.
• In vitro antioxidant assays (SOD, CAT, GPx) and in vivo wound healing studies in diabetic Wistar rats were conducted.

Main Results:

• The optimized niosomal formulation showed a vesicle size of 129.91 nm, PDI of 0.152, zeta potential of -8.698 mV, and EE% of 35.893%.
• In vitro studies demonstrated sustained drug release governed by the Korsmeyer-Peppas model.
• In vivo studies showed superior wound closure, increased hydroxyproline content, and improved histopathology in the nanoformulation-treated group.

Conclusions:

• Niosomal encapsulation successfully improved vanillic acid's solubility and antioxidant capacity.
• Nano-encapsulated vanillic acid demonstrated significant therapeutic potential for accelerating diabetic wound healing.