Lycopene-carrier solid dispersion loaded lipid liquid crystal nanoparticle: in vitro evaluation and in vivo wound healing effects

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This study was conducted to develop a lycopene-carrier solid dispersion-loaded lipid liquid crystal nanoparticle (LLC) formulation aimed at enhancing aqueous solubility, bioavailability, and wound healing efficacy. Lycopene was extracted from tomato paste using the Soxhlet method and was formulated into solid dispersions with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and Poloxamer (Plx) to enhance the solubility of lycopene. The physicochemical properties of the solid dispersion products were characterized. Cytotoxicity on human fibroblast cells, cell migration, and wound healing treatment in the mice were also assessed. PVP demonstrated greater efficacy in enhancing the aqueous solubility of lycopene than Plx. The results indicated that the morphology of the LLC was cubosome, achieving a high encapsulation efficiency of 71.57 ± 2.1%. The LLC formulations demonstrated significantly enhanced release rates of 68.18 ± 1.78% and improved skin permeation compared to the lycopene solid dispersion solution. The results of the cell culture demonstrated the safety of the formulation, and the in vitro scratch test showed the migration of fibroblast cells in the presence of the lycopene-PVP solid dispersion loaded LLC compared to lycopene alone. Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that the proposed formulation (lycopene-PVP solid dispersion loaded LLC) could be a suitable option for wound healing.