Development and Evaluation of Hesperidin-loaded Ethosomal Gel for Wound Healing

Abstract

Background: Wound healing is a process that restores and regenerates the injured tissues. Polyphenols
(Hesperidin) show wound healing properties, but their effective topical application for skin wound healing is
challenging due to issues with low loading capacity and delivery efficiency. Ethosomes (lipid-based vesicles)
have overcome such problems and emerged as a promising delivery system for improving drug encapsulation and
penetration through the skin. Materials and Methods: Hesperidin-loaded ethosomes were formulated with 30%
ethanol and analyzed for particle size and shape, encapsulation efficiency, and surface charge. Ethosomes gel was
then formulated with 1% w/v Carbopol 934K. Further Hesperidin-loaded ethosomal gel was evaluated for various
parameters such as organoleptic properties, pH, viscosity, and skin permeation. An in-vitro wound healing assay
was performed to assess the angiogenic properties of Hesperidin-loaded ethosomal gel along with its comparison
with pure Hesperidin. Results: The formulated ethosomes were found to have a spherical shape, a vesicle size of
417.9 nm, an entrapment efficiency of 87.32%, and a surface charge of −26.62 mV. The ethosomal gel showed
an optimal pH of 5.7, good spreadability, and a release of 86.21%. It has shown stability over 60 days. In-vitro
assay revealed that both Hesperidin-loaded ethosomal gel and powder exhibited angiogenic effects, significantly
promoting angiogenesis in HaCaT cells over time. Conclusion: The development of Hesperidin-loaded ethosomal
gel has successive delivery and addressed the challenges of high loading capacity and effective skin permeation.
The results suggest that Hesperidin-loaded ethosomal gel is an effective method for enhancing wound healing
through improved delivery.