Nano formulated proanthocyanidins as an effective wound healing component

Proanthocyanidins (PCs), a component of grape seed extract (GSE), have recently being used for the treatment of wounds. However, poor absorption, poor stability and rapid elimination from the systemic circulation limit its acceptance. In addressing these problems, we herein report the development of PCs based nanoformulations (PCs/SOLU) for the first time based on 1% GSE and assessed its wound healing potential in-vivo on the wistar rats. GSE and PCs/SOLU nanodispersions 1% were prepared by incorporating them into the ointment base via uniform mixing to form ointment which could be easily applied topically to wounds. The antibacterial activity of PCs/SOLU against gram positive and gram-negative bacteria strains proved that the cell membranes became more permeable with disrupted cell structure. While carrageenan and histamine induced rat paw edema analyses show there was no inflammatory signs in animals treated with 1 wt% of PCs/SOLU nanodispersion. Excision wound measuring about 3 cm in depth was created on the wistar rats. The ointment was applied topically on the wounded site and the wound contraction was measured daily. Grape seed extract (GSE) ointment, ointment base and povidone‑iodine (Povi-Iod) ointment of about 1% was used as the control, positive and negative standards. PCs/SOLU nanodispersion heals the wound by mobilising the fibroblasts in the wound site and inhibits the inflammatory response through decreased expression of monocyte. The macroscopical, immunological and histopathological assessments revealed that PCs/SOLU nanodispersion ointment usage improves the cell adhesion and proliferation.