β-Cyclodextrin/PVP-Stabilized Nanocrystal Gel for Dual Release of Rutin and Thymoquinone for Wound Healing

The timely repair of injured skin is of outmost importance as the impaired wound healing may provoke infections, formation of scarring tissues, and delayed wound closure. ThQ + Rut-loaded NC gel was produced using the ultrasonication nanoprecipitation technique and investigated for dermal wound healing. Formulations were characterized for particle size distribution, and ζ − potential, % drug entrapment, and % loading. The optimum NC gel was characterized for viscosity, spreadability, and gel texture. The optimized nanocrystal gel was produced and tested on fibroblast cell line and tested in vivo for healing assessment. The optimum particle size of obtained NC was 192 ± 2 nm, PDI of 0.201, with a ζ-potential of -9.9 ± 1.9 mV. Further, Rut and ThQ entrapment and loading from ThQ + Rut-loaded NC gel, were measured to 89 ± 0.9%, 85.7 ± 1.5%; 21 ± 2%, and 17.5 ± 2%. The NC gel showed viscosity of 1488 ± 0.12 mPa*s at shear rate of 40 (1/s). The hydrogel texture analysis revealed firmness, consistency and cohesiveness of 43.88 g, 208.19 g.sec, and − 15.88 g, respectively. The cell viability studies revealed that Rutin and ThQ in NC gel significantly enhanced proliferation of fibroblast cell vis-a-vis to drug suspensions (p < 0.01). The histopathology demonstrated that ThQ + Rut-loaded NC gel improved collagen formation and tissue remodelling towards wound healing compared with other treatment groups. Thus, we may conclude that Rut and ThQ from nanocrystal gel is safe and will improve the dermal wound healing process.