Nanofabrication of shikonin accelerates the wound healing potential in diabetic rats via downregulation of MMP-9: in vitro/in vivo pharmacological validation and in silico molecular dynamic approach.
BACKGROUND Diabetic burn wounds are challenging comorbid conditions to heal, hence shikonin, a traditional phytoconstituent was nanofabricated in the present study. This study is the continuation of our previously published work including shikonin-loaded nanoemulsion against wound pathogens. OBJECTIVE Current work aims to further prepare electrospun scaffolds to promote wounded skin regeneration. METHODS Studies including DLS, ATR, XRD, SEM were used to assess pharmaceutical stability of system. In vivo model, western blotting (protein expression of MMP-9), soluble collagen and MMP-9 ELISA kit assays, molecular docking and simulations studies were used to evaluate pharmacodynamic stability. RESULTS The developed scaffolds exhibited chemical stability, improved aqueous solubility with average diameter of 235 ± 23 nm. The wound area got remarkably decreased (4.923 ± 0.935%) with high collagen content (88.515 ± 2.23%) and lower MMP-9 content (6.726 ± 0.820%) than the comparable groups. CONCLUSION The present study displayed the developed system with remarkable wound healing potential.