Fabrication and Characterization of Saffron Stamen Aqueous Extract Controlled Release System as Potential Topical Treatment of Thermal Burn Wounds

Abstract

In our study, we aimed the preparation of Saffron stamen aqueous extract (SSAE) loaded chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) to be used topically for thermal burns. First, biological activity tests such as DNA binding, DNA cleavage and antibacterial activity were performed to determine the effectiveness of SSAE to be encapsulated. Additionally, a genotoxicity test was performed for the reliability of SSAE. Ionic gelation method was used for encapsulation, and SSAE-loaded CNPs were obtained. Average particle size, zeta potential, polydispersity index (PdI), morphology, and releasing kinetics of the SSAE-loaded CNPs and blank CNPs were determined. DNA binding showed that SSAE interacted with DNA electrostatically. It was determined that all doses of SSAE used in hydrolytic and oxidative DNA cleavage experiments cleave DNA. As a result of the Ames / Salmonella test, it was found that 1,25 mg SSAE was not genotoxic. Then, this concentration was used in nanoparticle synthesis. As a result of DLS analysis, it was determined that SSAE-loaded CNPs have an average size of 57.61 +/- 1.234 nm, 0.175 +/- 0.008 PdI, and +14 +/- 0.755 mV zeta potential. Encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity of SSAE-loaded CNPs calculated as 71.76 % and 2,64 % respectively. As a result of releasing kinetics, it was determined that 79.54 % of SSAE was released after 168 hours. Antibacterial results revealed that SSAE loaded CNPs were more effective against bacteria than blank SSAE.