Melatonin loaded lecithin-chitosan nanoparticles improved the wound healing in diabetic rats

Wound healing in diabetic patients remains a worldwide problem that can cause amputations and even lead to death. This work aimed to produce lecithin-chitosan nanoparticles loaded with melatonin (MEL-NP) incorporated in a topical formulation to be evaluated for healing in the in vivo animal model for diabetes. To produce nanoparticles, an ethanolic solution containing soybean lecithin and melatonin was added dropwise to an aqueous solution of chitosan under sonication. The nanoparticles were physicochemical characterized and evaluated in vivo for toxicity using the Galleria mellonella model and its potential for wound healing in diabetic rats. The MEL-NPs presented a particle size of 160 nm and a zeta potential of 25 mV. The melatonin entrapment efficiency was 27%. Our results indicated that treatment with MEL-NP improved wound healing demonstrated by wound closure earlier than the other treatments evaluated. A desired therapeutic effect was achieved by MEL-NP in the induction of fibroblast and angiogenic proliferation. In addition, it was accompanied by an expressive collagen deposition. Considering the observed data, the MEL-NP developed could be used as a proof of concept to develop a promising strategy for the healing of diabetic wound.