Controlled release of an extract of Calendula officinalis flowers from a system based on the incorporation of gelatin-collagen microparticles into collagen I scaffolds: design and in vitro performance

Drug Deliv Transl Res. 2015 Jun;5(3):209-18. doi: 10.1007/s13346-015-0217-3.

Abstract

Aiming to develop biological skin dresses with improved performance in the treatment of skin wounds, acellular collagen I scaffolds were modified with polymeric microparticles and the subsequent loading of a hydroglycolic extract of Calendula officinalis flowers. Microparticles made of gelatin-collagen were produced by a water-in-oil emulsion/cross-linking method. Thereafter, these microparticles were mixed with collagen suspensions at three increasing concentrations and the resulting mixtures lyophilized to make microparticle-loaded porous collagen scaffolds. Resistance to enzymatic degradation, ability to associate with the C. officinalis extract, and the extract release profile of the three gelatin-collagen microparticle-scaffold prototypes were assessed in vitro and compared to collagen scaffolds without microparticles used as control. Data indicated that the incorporation of gelatin-collagen microparticles increased the resistance of the scaffolds to in vitro enzymatic degradation, as well as their association with the C. officinalis flower extract. In addition, a sharp decrease in cytotoxicity, as well as more prolonged release of the extract, was attained. Overall results support the potential of these systems to develop innovative dermal substitutes with improved features. Furthermore, the gelatin-collagen mixture represents a low-cost and scalable alternative with high clinical transferability, especially appealing in developing countries.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Cutaneous
  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / adverse effects
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / chemistry*
  • Antioxidants / administration & dosage
  • Antioxidants / adverse effects
  • Antioxidants / chemistry*
  • Calendula / chemistry*
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Collagen Type I / chemistry
  • Delayed-Action Preparations / administration & dosage
  • Delayed-Action Preparations / adverse effects
  • Delayed-Action Preparations / chemistry
  • Dermatologic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Dermatologic Agents / adverse effects
  • Dermatologic Agents / chemistry*
  • Drug Carriers / administration & dosage
  • Drug Carriers / adverse effects
  • Drug Carriers / chemistry*
  • Drug Compounding
  • Drug Stability
  • Flowers / chemistry*
  • Freeze Drying
  • Gelatin / chemistry
  • Mice
  • Microspheres
  • Plant Extracts / administration & dosage
  • Plant Extracts / adverse effects
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry*
  • Skin / drug effects
  • Skin / injuries
  • Solubility
  • Wound Healing / drug effects

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Antioxidants
  • Collagen Type I
  • Delayed-Action Preparations
  • Dermatologic Agents
  • Drug Carriers
  • Plant Extracts
  • Gelatin