Heparin-Encapsulated Metered-Dose Topical “Nano-Spray Gel” Liposomal Formulation Ensures Rapid On-Site Management of Frostbite Injury by Inflammatory Cytokines Scavenging

The critical time window between the incidence of frostbite injury and the initiation of treatment in remote snowbound areas is a determining factor for an effective therapeutic response. It is an emergency condition and challenging to treat due to the poor vascularity of affected body parts, and it requires immediate action. In addition to cold trauma-induced tissue damage, the inflammatory mediators majorly contribute to pathologic aggravations. We have designed and evaluated a topical “nano-spray gel (NSG)” formulation, which is based on a combination of liposomal heparin sodium (Hp) and ibuprofen (Ibu) for rapid relief of frostbite injury in extremely low temperatures. The scientific literature suggests that heparin is associated with rapid endothelial cell repair, normalizing blood circulation in capillaries, and has a potential role in wound healing. Hp-containing liposomes were prepared by the extruder method, which suitably formulated an ibuprofen-containing gel to obtain a nano-Spray formulation (HLp-Ibu-NSG) applicable for topical delivery. A single spray puff of the formulation delivers ∼154 mg of the gel, which corresponds to ∼205 U of heparin. In this study, heparin liposomes exhibited significant healing of wound in vitro (scratch assay, fibroblast cells) and in vivo (wound healing in Sprague Dawley rats) at a low dose. In the rat model of frostbite injury, the HLp-Ibu-NSG formulation demonstrated significant reduction in the wound area (up to ∼96%) and improvement of histopathology in 14 days as compared to the control groups. No edema and erythema were detected post-treatment of HLp-Ibu-NSG in the affected area. The underlying mechanism was delineated as a modulation of the inflammatory cytokine (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10, IL-4) mediators at the wound site and blood circulation to foster frostbite healing. Future clinical studies on the nano-spray gel are required to evaluate its efficacy for the treatment of frostbite symptoms. The instant on-site application of this formulation might be helpful in saving extremities of soldiers, mountaineers, and pilgrims having frostbite.