An innovative topical drug formulation for wound healing and infection treatment: In vitro and in vivo investigations of a povidone-iodine liposome hydrogel

Background: In topical wound treatment, the combination of anti-infectious therapy and a healing-promoting moisturization has not been accomplished ye t. Objective: Evaluation of a new topical drug consisting of a povidone-iod ine (PVP-I) liposome hydrogel allowing for both antiseptic and moist treatm ent. Methods: Pharmaceutical formulation of a complex of PVP-I (3%) and pho sphatidylcholine in a hydrogel. In vitro, interaction of the complex with r elevant micro-organisms was analysed by electron microscopy. Antimicrobial activity was investigated using Staphylococcus aureus in a suspension test. Tissue toxicity was examined by an explantation test in a rodent model. A randomized clinical study on efficacy and tolerability in wound healing was carried out on 35 patients with mesh grafts in parallel groups (PVP-I lipo some hydrogel vs. Bactigras) for proof of concept in humans. Results: A dir ect interaction of the PVP-I liposomes with micro-organisms by attachment t o the cell surface was documented. A significantly better microbicidal acti vity and tissue tolerability of the PVP-I liposome hydrogel com pared to co nventional PVP-I formulations was shown. The results of the clinical study, especially measurements of neo-epithelization per time and transplant loss , demonstrate significant differences in favour of the PVP-I liposome hydro gel. Conclusion: The novel PVP-I liposome hydrogel combines microbicidal an d wound healing activities resulting in enhanced epithelization. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.