Preparation and Application of Mucoadhesive Nanoparticles Containing Enoxaparin in a Wound Healing Animal Model

The use of heparin or low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) is calling attention as an alternative for treating of skin ulcers. However, clinical topical application heparin has challenges such as stability, permeation and number of administrations. Thus, the encapsulation of heparin in nanoparticles may enable the clinical application of this molecule for the treatment of lesions. Therefore, the goal of this study was evaluated the use of free and encapsulated LMWH in mucoadhesive nanoparticles on acute skin lesions in an in vivo rat model. The polymeric nanoparticles was prepared using poly(ε-caprolactone) and chitosan in order to obtain a particle with mucoadhesive properties. Spherical nanoparticles with an average diameter of 511 nm and with positive superficial charge (+ 20 mV) were produced. In vivo experiments with free or encapsulated enoxaparin showed no beneficial effect upon the size of the skin lesions in comparison to controls. Furthermore, no renal, hepatic or hematological toxicity was detected in all groups analyzed. In conclusion, mucoadhesive particles with high encapsulation efficiency (98%) were produced, however with no favorable effect for the treatment of acute skin wounds.