Acceleration of wound healing by topical drug delivery via liposomes

Background: Despite intensive research, impaired wound healing remains a co nsiderable 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: Experime nts were performed using the wound healing model of the ear of hairless mic e. Standardized skin wounds (4.25 mm(2)) 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 regen eration by complete epithelialization and neovascularization of the wound a rea! microcirculation parameters, and leukocyte-endothelium interaction wer e investigated by means of intravital microscopy. Microvascular perfusion w as assessed by laser-Doppler flowmetry. Results: Topical application of buf lomedil 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 buflomed il-loaded liposomes might be of beneficial use for clinical wound care.