Nanofabrication of shikonin accelerates the wound healing potential in diabetic rats via downregulation of MMP-9: in vitro/in vivo pharmacological validation and in silico molecular dynamic approach.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic burn wounds are challenging comorbid conditions to heal, hence shikonin, a traditional phytoconstituent was nanofabricated in the present study. This study is the continuation of our previously published work including shikonin-loaded nanoemulsion against wound pathogens. OBJECTIVE: Current work aims to further prepare electrospun scaffolds to promote wounded skin regeneration. METHODS: Studies including DLS, ATR, XRD, SEM were used to assess pharmaceutical stability of system. In vivo model, western blotting (protein expression of MMP-9), soluble collagen and MMP-9 ELISA kit assays, molecular docking and simulations studies were used to evaluate pharmacodynamic stability. RESULTS: The developed scaffolds exhibited chemical stability, improved aqueous solubility with average diameter of 235 ± 23 nm. The wound area got remarkably decreased (4.923 ± 0.935%) with high collagen content (88.515 ± 2.23%) and lower MMP-9 content (6.726 ± 0.820%) than the comparable groups. CONCLUSION: The present study displayed the developed system with remarkable wound healing potential.