Abstract

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF POLIHEXANIDE LOADED LIPOSOSMAL GEL FOR THE TREATMENT OF DIABETIC FOOT ULCER

*Shivangi Singh, Dr. Prince Manta

Abstract

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) are severe complications of diabetes that often result in delayed wound healing, persistent infection, and an increased risk of lower-limb amputation. Conventional topical therapies frequently fail because they lack adequate drug retention and sustained antimicrobial activity at the wound site. To address these limitations, this study formulated and evaluated a polihexanide-loaded liposomal gel using soya lecithin, cholesterol, and a Carbopol 934 hydrogel base. Five liposomal formulations were prepared via the thin-film hydration method, with the optimized formulation (F5) demonstrating a particle size of 93.26 nm, a polydispersity index of 0.342, and an entrapment efficiency of 92.24%. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed that the vesicles were spherical with a smooth surface morphology. The resulting liposomal gel exhibited favorable physicochemical properties, including a pH of 6.12, a viscosity of 6513 cps, and good spreadability, while showing no signs of skin irritation. Furthermore, the formulation achieved sustained drug release with 97.89% cumulative release over 12 hours, following the Higuchi kinetic model ($R^2 = 0.9778$) to indicate a diffusion-controlled mechanism. Overall, the polihexanide-loaded liposomal gel represents a promising topical drug delivery system capable of providing prolonged antimicrobial action for improved diabetic wound management.

Keywords: Polihexanide, Liposomes, Liposomal Gel, Diabetic Foot Ulcer, Nanotechnology, Controlled Drug Release, Wound Healing.