Food Hydrocolloids for Health · Published 2025-11-28 · DOI 10.1016/j.fhfh.2025.100258
Background: Chronic wounds and oxidative stress–related skin disorders, such as diabetic ulcers, burns, surgical wounds, and inflammatory dermatoses, require sustained topical delivery of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents. Glutathione (GSH) and Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) offer synergistic therapeutic effects but suffer from poor stability and limited skin permeability. This study developed and evaluated a sodium alginate (SA)-based nanogel co-delivering GSH and CoQ10 for enhanced wound healing. Methods: A GSH–CoQ10 complex was prepared via adsorption and characterised using FT-IR, DSC, XRD, and SEM. The complex was incorporated into SA gels at varying concentrations (1.5%, 2.5%, 3.5%), and formulations were analysed for particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), and zeta potential using dynamic light scattering. GSH release was measured using a DTNB assay and fitted to kinetic models. Rheological behaviour, long-term stability (12 months), and morphology (SEM/TEM) were examined. In vivo efficacy was tested in a rat excisional wound model (n = 36), with ELISA quantification of VEGF, TGF-β1, Collagen I, and IL-6. Results: The optimal 2.5% SA nanogel exhibited 122.0 ± 4.9 nm particle size, −40.0 ± 1.3 mV zeta potential, and PDI 0.25 ± 0.02. GSH release reached 72% over 24 h, following Korsmeyer–Peppas kinetics. Rheological analysis indicated pseudoplastic behaviour. The formulation remained stable for 12 months (f₂ = 81.04). In vivo, the nanogel achieved 98.6% wound closure at day 14 and significantly improved collagen synthesis while reducing IL-6 levels. Conclusion: The GSH–CoQ10-loaded SA nanogel offers a stable and effective platform for treating chronic and acute skin injuries through synergistic antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms.
Abstract from DOAJ. Public domain (CC0 1.0).
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