Zerumbone-Loaded Nanostructured Lipid Carrier Gel Facilitates Wound Healing in Rats

Abstract

Zerumbone, a natural lipophilic compound from Zingiber zerumbet (L.) Roscoe ex Sm., Zingiberaceae, has anti-inflammatory effects. The study investigated the healing effects of zerumbone-loaded nanostructured lipid carrier gel on excisional wounds in rats. Zerumbone-loaded nanostructured lipid carrier gel was prepared using the Carbopol 940 as the gelling agent. The wounds were topically treated with 0.2 ml of zerumbone-loaded nanostructured lipid carrier gel (0.5 mg/ml) once daily for 15 days. Silver sulfadiazine 1% w/w cream (0.2 ml) and nanostructured lipid carrier gel (0.2 ml) were used for comparison. Tissue samples were subjected to histopathology, the determination of cytokine concentrations, and cyclooxygenase-2 gene expression. Zerumbone-loaded nanostructured lipid carrier gel decreased inflammatory cell infiltration and degeneration, and increased granulation in the healing wound tissues. Anti-inflammatory effect was also observed by the increase of anti-inflammatory interleukin-10, and decreased the pro-inflammatory tissue necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6 concentrations, and downregulated cyclooxygenase-2 gene expression. Zerumbone-loaded nanostructured lipid carrier gel was more effective than silver sulfadiazine cream at inducing wounds healing. In conclusion, zerumbone-loaded nanostructured lipid carrier gel promotes wound healing and scarless tissue repairment by increasing production of anti-inflammatory cytokines and downregulating pro-inflammatory gene expression.