BACKGROUND: Chronic wounds, characterized by hypoxia, inflammation and impaired tissue remodeling, are often worsened by bacterial/fungal infections. Intriguingly, chitosan-shelled/decafluoropentane-cored oxygen-loaded nanodroplets (OLNs) have proven effective in delivering oxygen to hypoxic tissues. AIM: The present work aimed at investigating nanodroplet antimicrobial properties against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) or Candida albicans, toxicity on human keratinocytes (HaCaT) and ultrasound (US)-triggered transdermal delivery. MATERIALS & METHODS: Nanodroplet antibacterial/antifungal properties, human cytotoxicity, and US-triggered transdermal delivery were measured through microbiological, biochemical, and sonophoresis assays, respectively. RESULTS: OLNs and oxygen-free nanodroplets (OFNs) displayed short- or long-term cytostatic activity against MRSA or Candida albicans, respectively. OLNs were not toxic to keratinocytes, whereas OFNs slightly affected cell viability. Complementary US treatment promoted OLN transdermal delivery. CONCLUSION: As such, US-activated chitosan-shelled OLNs appear as promising, nonconventional and innovative tools for adjuvant treatment of infected chronic wounds.
BACKGROUND: Chronic wounds, characterized by hypoxia, inflammation and impaired tissue remodeling, are often worsened by bacterial/fungal infections. Intriguingly, chitosan-shelled/decafluoropentane-cored oxygen-loaded nanodroplets (OLNs) have proven effective in delivering oxygen to hypoxic tissues. AIM: The present work aimed at investigating nanodroplet antimicrobial properties against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) or Candida albicans, toxicity on human keratinocytes (HaCaT) and ultrasound (US)-triggered transdermal delivery. MATERIALS & METHODS: Nanodroplet antibacterial/antifungal properties, humancytotoxicity, and US-triggered transdermal delivery were measured through microbiological, biochemical, and sonophoresis assays, respectively. RESULTS: OLNs and oxygen-free nanodroplets (OFNs) displayed short- or long-term cytostatic activity against MRSA or Candida albicans, respectively. OLNs were not toxic to keratinocytes, whereas OFNs slightly affected cell viability. Complementary US treatment promoted OLN transdermal delivery. CONCLUSION: As such, US-activated chitosan-shelled OLNs appear as promising, nonconventional and innovative tools for adjuvant treatment of infected chronic wounds.
Authors: Sara Zullino; Monica Argenziano; Shoeb Ansari; Roberta Ciprian; Lucia Nasi; Franca Albertini; Roberta Cavalli; Caterina Guiot Journal: Front Pharmacol Date: 2019-09-11 Impact factor: 5.810