Neem (Azadirachta Indica) and silk fibroin associated hydrogel: Boon for wound healing treatment regimen

• Main Authors: Arfa Nasrine (Author), Soumya Narayana (Author), Mohammed Gulzar Ahmed (Author), Rokeya Sultana (Author), Nadira Noushida (Author), Thriveni Raunak Salian (Author), Mansour Almuqbil (Author), Moneer E. Almadani (Author), Ahmed Alshehri (Author), Adel Alghamdi (Author), Sultan Alshehri (Author), Syed Mohammed Basheeruddin Asdaq (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Elsevier, 2023-10-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 1319-0164; 10.1016/j.jsps.2023.101749
• Keywords: Azadirachta Indica; Neem; Hydrogel; Wound healing; Silk fibroin; Therapeutics. Pharmacology; RM1-950
• Source: Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal, Vol 31, Iss 10, Pp 101749- (2023)

Background & Objectives: Wound healing is the complex physiological process of replacing damaged cells or tissue layers. The neem (Azadirachta Indica) has a variety of biological activities, which may hasten the rate at which the wound healing mechanism occurs. Silk fibroin is a biomaterial that is reported for its tissue regeneration activity. So, the present study was designed to assess the effectiveness of a hydrogel comprising neem and silk fibroin biomaterials for the treatment of wounds. Methods: Topical neem hydrogels (N-HG) with and without silk fibroin (N-SFB-HG) were prepared using neem extract, silk fibroin, and guar gum, which act by entrapping the components by forming a gel. Evaluation tests such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), visual emergence, pH, rheological behavior, spreading capacity, drug content, skin irritation, anti-microbial action, in vivo wound healing activity, and stability were carried out. Results: The FT-IR results showed no chemical interaction between the constituents. The formed hydrogels had pH values of 5.87 ± 0.3 for N-HG and 5.76 ± 0.2 for N-SFB-HG. The preferred topical gel viscosity was observed in the N-HG (54.2 ± 3.2cPs) and N-SFB-HG (59.9 ± 4.8cPs) formulations. The formulated hydrogels were sterile and did not irritate the skin. The in vivo wound healing investigation results reveal that the N-SF-HG treatment speeds up the regeneration of the injured area faster when compared to control and N-HG treated groups. Interpretation & Conclusion: These results support the efficacy of the topical hydrogel formulation, including neem and silk fibroin. Therefore, the neem-silk fibroin hydrogel formulation is a therapeutically viable choice that, following necessary clinical research, might be utilized in novel formulations for managing chronic wounds.