Injectable baicalin/F127 hydrogel with antioxidant activity for enhanced wound healing

Baicalin, extracted from traditional Chinese medicine Scutellaria baicalensis Georg, has great potential for chronic skin wound treatment, however, the poor solubility and lack of suitable vehicles greatly limit its further application. In this study, we proposed a simple and robust strategy to enhance the solubility of baicalin and prepared a novel injectable baicalin/Fluronic® F-127 hydrogel to study its potential wound healing application. The results showed that this biocompatible hydrogel had a flexible antioxidant activity and could significantly accelerate wound healing in vivo. [Display omitted] Baicalin, extracted from traditional Chinese medicine Scutellaria baicalensis Georg, possesses multiple pharmacological activities and has great potential for chronic skin wound repair. However, the poor solubility and lack of suitable vehicles greatly limit its further application. Herein, we proposed a convenient and robust strategy, employing PBS solution as solvent, to enhance the solubility of baicalin. Furthermore, we constructed injectable baicalin/F127 hydrogels to study their application in skin wound treatment. The composition and temperature sensitivity of baicalin/Pluronic® F-127 hydrogels were confirmed by FTIR and rheological testing, respectively. In vitro release measurement indicated that the first order model was best fitted with the release profile of baicalin from hydrogel matrix. Besides, MTT assay, AO/EO staining assay as well as hemolytic activity test revealed the excellent cytocompatibility of baicalin/F127 hydrogels. Antioxidant activity assay demonstrated the cytoprotective activity of baicalin/F127 hydrogels against reactive oxygen species (ROS). Furthermore, the in vivo experiments exhibited the ability of baicalin/F127 hydrogel to accelerate wound healing. In conclusion, this novel injectable baicalin/F127 hydrogel should have bright application for chronic wound treatment.