Nanospanlastic delivery of repurposed rosuvastatin for augmented wound healing

This study aimed to enhance the dermal delivery and wound-healing efficacy of rosuvastatin calcium (RSV) by developing a spanlastics-based nanocarrier system incorporated into a carbopol 934 gel.

Spanlastics were prepared using Span 60 and Tween 80 via the ethanol injection technique. The optimized formulation (F2) containing 16mg RSV, 60mg Span 60, and 40mg Tween 80 was characterized for particle size, zeta potential, and entrapment efficiency. In vitro release, ex vivo permeation, and in vivo wound-healing studies were conducted to evaluate its performance.

The optimized RSV spanlastic formulation exhibited a mean particle size of 419.3±32.06nm, a zeta potential of -31.3±6.63mV, and an entrapment efficiency of 91.75%±4.23%. In vitro studies showed a biphasic release pattern with an initial burst followed by sustained release up to 12hours. Ex vivo permeation results revealed a 2.02-fold increase in transdermal flux compared with a conventional gel. In vivo excision wound studies in Wistar rats demonstrated complete wound closure within 14 days for the RSV spanlastic gel-treated group. Histopathological analysis confirmed enhanced epithelial regeneration, collagen deposition, and tissue remodeling compared with control and conventional formulations.

The RSV-loaded spanlastic gel improved dermal penetration, provided sustained drug release, and significantly accelerated wound healing. These results establish spanlastics as a promising nanocarrier system for the topical delivery of repurposed agents like rosuvastatin calcium in wound management.