Ciprofloxacin carrier systems based on hectorite/halloysite hybrid hydrogels for potential wound healing applications

The design of multifunctional nanomaterials which can help the healing processes of skin, preventing the bacterial infections, is crucial for the development of suitable therapy for the treatment of chronic lesions. The use of clay minerals in wound healing applications is well documented since the prehistoric period and offers several advantages due to their intrinsic properties. Herein, we report the development of ciprofloxacin carrier systems based on hectorite/halloysite (Ht/Hal) hybrid hydrogels for potential wound healing applications. To achieve this objective firstly the ciprofloxacin molecules were loaded onto Hal by a supramolecular and covalent approach. The so obtained fillers were thoroughly investigated by several techniques and at molecular level by means of quantum mechanics calculations along with empirical interatomic potentials. Afterwards the modified Hal were used as filler for Ht hydrogels. The introduction of modified Hal, in hectorite hydrogel, helps the gel formation with an improvement of the rheological properties. The in vitro kinetic release from both the fillers and from the hybrid hydrogels was studied both at skin’s pH (5.4) and under neutral conditions (pH 7.4); in addition, the factors controlling the ciprofloxacin release process were determined and discussed. Finally, the in vitro biocompatibility of the Hal fillers was evaluated by means of cytotoxic assays and laser scanning confocal microscopy on normal human dermal fibroblasts.