Design and characterization of natural extracts impregnated collagen based dermal films for wound healing

Aim

The aim of this work is to design & characterize a collagen based dermal films containing natural extracts such as Terminalia arjuna and Centella asiatica having antioxidant properties for enhancing the quality of wound healing.

Methods

The collagen and cross-linked collagen films were formulated with different concentrations of the selected extracts. The formulated films were subjected to physical, biochemical and histopathological examinations.

Results

Folding endurance reports revealed that the films possessed the desired mechanical strength to withstand the stress observed during handling. Micro shrinkage temperature of the extract impregnated films was found to be above 68 °C indicating their hydrothermal stability. Wound healing studies on male Wistar rats revealed that the groups treated with 1.5% T. arjuna extract impregnated cross-linked collagen dermal films (1.5% TAEICCDF's), 15% extract impregnated collagen dermal films (1.5% TAEICDF's), 1.5% C. asiatica extract impregnated cross-linked collagen dermal films (1.5% CAEICCDF's), 1.5% C. asiatica extract impregnated collagen dermal films (1.5% CAEICDF's) possessed higher amount of hydroxyproline content compared to the marketed formulation – Neuskin™. The cross-linking of the CAEICDF's, TAEICDF's had a significant impact at p > 0.05 from student ‘t’ test on wound healing compared to the non-cross-linked films. Further one-way classification ANOVA studies conducted for all the groups treated with natural extract impregnated films varied significantly (P = 0.05 from one-way ANOVA).

Conclusion

The histopathological studies indicated more production in the collagen content in groups treated with 1.5% TAEICCDF's, 1.5% TAEICDF's, 1.5% CAEICCDF's, 1.5% CAEICDF's which resulted in the epithelial group reduction. Further rise in fibroblasts in these treated groups suggested that the films are fit to productive approach in the improvement of dermal wound healing process.