Abstract
Burns are complicated wounds characterized by prolonged and persistent inflammatory phase. The combination of nutraceuticals in nano-delivery systems is hypothesized to enhance therapeutic efficacy and achieve better healing outcome. In this regard, we investigated the combination of two polyphenols; curcumin and resveratrol, in a nanoemulsion based gel system (nanoemulgel). The ex-vivo skin deposition of the prepared nanoemulgels was measured, and their in-vivo burn healing potential was tested in rat-burn induced model by measurement of inflammatory markers, oxidative stress markers, amino acids and vitamin E levels, in addition to histopathological examination. The particle size of the nanoemulsions ranged from 167 to 180 nm with PDI less than 0.4 and negative zeta potential (-17 to-20 mV). Remarkable retention of the nutraceuticals in the skin when loaded alone or combined in nanoemulgels, reaching ?60% of the applied dose was shown after 48 h. In vivo results proved the better burn healing outcome of the nanoemulgel formulation combining both curcumin and resveratrol, with histopathological features similar to normal control skin. Findings delineated the augmented burn healing potential of the nutraceuticals combination, and the promising delivery traits of the nanoemulgel dosage form, which can be further exploited with other nutraceuticals combinations.