Natural Formulations Provide Antioxidant Complement to Hyaluronic Acid-Based Topical Applications Used in Wound Healing

• Main Authors: Pooyan Makvandi, Caterina Caccavale, Francesca Della Sala, Stefania Zeppetelli, Rosanna Veneziano, Assunta Borzacchiello
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-08-01
• Series: Polymers
• Subjects: antioxidant properties; wound healing; rheology; hyaluronic acid
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/12/8/1847

Hyaluronic acid (HA) promotes wound healing, and, accordingly, formulations based on HA have been widely used in regenerative medicine. In addition, naturally derived compounds, e.g., plant-based extracts and vitamin E, have exhibited antioxidant activity. In this study, a formulation containing hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, raspberry extract, and green tea was developed for potential topical applications, targeting wound healing. Rheological analysis was performed along with antioxidant and biological studies. The rheological characterization showed that the HA-based formulation is a thixotropic platform and possesses higher mechanical properties than the control formulation. To evaluate the wound healing potential of the formulation, an in vitro “wound healing” assay was carried out using human derived fibroblasts (HDF) with a cell-free gap on the tissue culture dish. The formulation showed better wound healing ability than the control formulation.