abstract
This study focuses on the preparation of layered bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) patches for drug delivery and wound healing in the context of herpes labialis. Nanostructured patches were prepared by selective aqueous diffusion of acyclovir (ACV, antiviral drug), hyaluronic acid (HA, skin healing promoter), and glycerol (GLY, plasticizer and humectant) in the BNC network, followed by assembly into trilayered patches with ACV on the central layer of the patch (ACVT) or divided between two layers (ACVH), to modulate drug release. Both patches showed good layers' adhesion and thermal stability (125 °C), UV barrier properties, good static (Young's modulus up to 0.9 GPa (dry) and 0.7 GPa (wet)) and dynamic mechanical performance, and adhesion strength (21 kPa) comparable to or higher than other materials and commercial adhesives for wound healing. In vitro drug dissolution showed faster ACV release from the ACVH patch (77 ± 5 %, 10 min) than from the ACVT one (50 ± 7 %), suggesting efficient drug delivery. ACVH closely resembled a commercial cream formulation in terms of release and permeation profiles. The patches were non-cytotoxic toward L929 fibroblasts, promoting cell adhesion and wound closure (in vitro). These results underscore the dual-action potential of the layered patches for managing herpetic lesions.
authors
Ana C.Q. Silva, Maria Mendes, Carla Vitorino, Unai Montejo, Ana Alonso-Varona, Armando J. D. Silvestre, Carla Vilela, Carmen S. R. Freire
our authors
Ana Cristina Quintans da Silva
PhD Student
Armando Jorge Domingues Silvestre
Full professor
Carla Vilela
Assistant Professor
Carmen Sofia da Rocha Freire Barros
Coordinating ResearcherProjects
Collaboratory for Emerging Technologies, CoLab (EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES)
CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials (UIDB/50011/2020)
CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials (UIDP/50011/2020)
Associated Laboratory CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials (LA/P/0006/2020)
acknowledgements
This work was developed within the scope of the project CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials, UIDB/50011/2020 (DOI 10.544 99/UIDB/50011/2020), UIDP/50011/2020 (DOI 10.54499/UIDP/50011/2020) & LA/P/0006/2020 (DOI 10.54499/LA/P/0006/2020), financed by national funds through the FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC). FCT also supports the Coimbra Chemistry Centre through the project UID/QUI/00313/2020. FCT is also acknowledged for the doctoral grant to A.C.Q. S. (SFRH/BD/140230/2018 and COVID/BD/152979/2022) and the research contracts under Scientific Employment Stimulus to C.V. (2021.01571.CEECIND, DOI 10.54499/2021.01571.CEECIND/CP1659/CT0024) and C.S.R.F. (CEECIND/00464/2017, DOI 10.54499/CEECIND/00464/2017/CP1459/CT0033).