Preparation of Transdermal Patch Containing Selenium Nanoparticles Loaded with Doxycycline and Evaluation of Skin Wound Healing in a Rat Model

The present study aimed to prepare and evaluate a controlled-release system based on a chitosan scaffold containing selenium nanoparticles loaded with doxycycline. Its topical application in skin wound healing in rats was investigated. Therefore, 80 female rats were used and, after creating experimental skin defects on their back, were randomly divided into four equal groups: the control group without any therapeutic intervention; the second group received a chitosan transdermal patch (Ch); the third group received chitosan transdermal patch loaded with selenium nanoparticles (ChSeN), and the last group received chitosan transdermal patch containing selenium nanoparticle loaded by doxycycline (ChSeND). Morphological and structural characteristics of the synthesized patches were evaluated, and in addition to measuring the skin wound area on days 3, 7, and 21, a histopathological examination was performed. On the third day of the study, less hemorrhage and inflammation and more neo-vascularization were seen in the ChSeND group. Moreover, on day 7, less inflammation and collagen formation were recorded in the ChSeN and ChSeND groups than in the other groups. At the same time, more neo-vascularization and re-epithelialization were seen in the ChSeND group on days 7 and 21. In addition, on day 21 of the study, the most collagen formation was in this group. Examination of the wound area also showed that the lowest area belonged to the ChSeND group. The results showed that the simultaneous presence of selenium nanoparticles and doxycycline in the ChSeND group provided the best repair compared to the control, Ch and ChSeN groups.