Sterile thermoresponsive formulations for emergency management of burns

Abstract

Initial care and treatment of burn injuries significantly influence their healing and appearance. The apt treatment for a burn patient normally depends upon the severity of the burn. This study was intended for the development of thermo-responsive formulations for the emergency management of burns prior to hospitalization.Nano calcium sulfate was prepared by probe sonication and nano copper oxide by thermal decomposition method and subsequently evaluated for particle size and poly-dispersity index. Formulations were prepared with 100 ppm of nano calcium sulphate, nano copper oxide and thermoresponsive polymers such as Poloxamer-407/ Chitosan/chitosan + Sodium β -glycerophosphate in different ratios. The products were evaluated for pH, viscosity and gelation time and those formulations which exhibited optimum viscosity, pH and gelation time were sterilized and evaluated for elemental content, skin irritation potential and in vivo burn healing activity.Nano calcium sulfate and nano copper oxide exhibited an average particle size of 220 nm and 273 nm correspondingly. SEM-EDX of selected formulations showed intense peaks of calcium and copper in all formulations. Acute dermal irritation study carried out on rabbits showed that the formations were non-irritant in nature. The percentage of wound contraction was greater in burn wounds treated with the formulation containing poloxamer-407 when compared to commercial Silverex™ ionic gel and the control group. The healing actvity of the thermoresponsive formulations was supported by histopathological studies.Nano calcium sulfate and nano copper oxide incorporated thermo-responsive formulations with burn wound healing activity were developed successfully.