Probiotics embedded in a high molecular weight chitosan matrix for wound healing treatment. A non-conventional therapy for diabetic foot ulcers.

ALAIMO, A; DI SANTO, MC; HIGA, RD; DOMINGUEZA RUBIO, AP; PÉREZ, OE

virtual

Congreso; 1st zooming into preclinical nanomedicines in the era of Covid; 2020

Asociación Argentina de Nanomedicinas (NANOMED-AR)

Treatment of non-healing wounds like diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is complex due to the increased susceptibility for infection and microbial resistance. The management of DFU needs an alternative approach for therapy, other than antibiotic treatments. Topical application of probiotics has been proposed to be effective for repair of chronic wounds. The underlying mechanism of the probiotic therapeutic effects involves their antimicrobial action avoiding the formation of biofilms by frequent pathogens, in addition to the modulation of host local and systemic immunity. We propose that the encapsulation of selected probiotic strains (L. acidophilus and L. plantarum) in chitosan (CS) microparticles could be used as an effective formulation for DFU treatment by constituting a non-conventional therapy. CS has been proven to have healing properties by its own. Its biocompatibility renders the polysaccharide compatible for interactions with microorganisms. In fact, high molecular weight CS was able to keep the viability of probiotic bacteria and would constitute a suitable polymer for conservation and delivery of probiotic strains. CS is obtained from contaminating waste by-product of crustacean fishing and probiotic bacteria are easily cultivable natural elements. The combination of both could be a cost-effective approach to solving the problem of sustained infection in chronic wounds.