Acceleration of wound healing by topical drug delivery via liposomes

Background: Despite intensive research, impaired wound healing remains a considerable complication. Therefore, topically applied liposome-encapsulated buflomedil hydrochloride was investigated for its ability to improve wound repair in normal (n=16) and ischemic (n=16) skin tissue. Methods: Experiments were performed using the wound healing model of the ear of hairless mice. Standardized skin wounds (4.25 mm2) were created by circular excision of the epidermal layer and the subcutaneous tissue. Liposomes were applied daily until complete neovascularization of the wound occurred. Tissue regeneration by complete epithelialization and neovascularization of the wound area, microcirculatory parameters, and leukocyte–endothelium interaction were investigated by means of intravital microscopy. Microvascular perfusion was assessed by laser-Doppler flowmetry. Results: Topical application of buflomedil liposomes led to a significantly (P<0.05) accelerated wound closure in both normal (9.6±0.7 days) and ischemic (13.4±0.1 days) skin tissue compared with animals that were treated with unloaded liposomes (controls; 13.1±0.8 days; 15.3±0.6 days). Complete neovascularization of the wound was also enhanced (P<0.05) in buflomedil-treated animals (normal tissue 18.8±0.4 days; ischemic tissue 19.6±0.7 days) compared with controls (20.6±0.6 days; 22.6±1.2 days). Conclusion: These data suggest that buflomedil-loaded liposomes might be of beneficial use for clinical wound care.