Skin Infections

Transdermal Delivery of Drugs for the Treatment of Skin Infections

Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most important human and veterinary pathogens and is the causative agent for the majority of primary skin infections. It causes infections ranging from benign to life threatening diseases. Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) encompass a wide variety of clinical outcomes, ranging from mild cases of cellulitis, erysipelas, trauma, subcutaneous tissue infections, wound related infections to complicated deep-seated infections with systemic sign of sepsis. SSTIs may lead to severe complications and hospital admission when associated with co-morbidities and/or bacteraemia. The most commonly reported cause of SSTIs is Staphylococcus aureus followed by β-haemolytic streptococci (BHS). Staphylococcus aureus can internalize by a variety of nonphagocytic host cells and can contribute to the development of persistent or chronic infections and may lead to deeper tissue infections or dissemination. The skin of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD), eczema and psoriasis show a striking susceptibility to colonization with Staphylococcus aureus.

There is a relationship between disease severity, extent and Staphylococcus aureus colonization of lesional and non-lesional skin and the density of  Staphylococcus aureus has been shown to correlate with cutaneous inflammation. SSTIs including atopic dermatitis (AD), eczema, psoriasis and wound healing all rely on efficient antibiotic therapies. The objective of this study was to synthesizeand characterize a biocompatible novel topical polymeric film system that has the potential to deliver antibacterial agent of medicinal  plant origin directly at the skin target site that may be useful for the treatment and management of Staphylococcus aureus related bacterial skin infections and for the wound management. To  achieve this objective, antibacterial agent loaded polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) films were prepared using solvent casting method. The prepared films were  characterized  for physical parameters, permeability and stability studies. Its biocompatibility was assessed, and the antibacterial efficacy of films were evaluated in vitro and ex vivo against  Staphylococcus aureus.

Further, in vitro scratch assay models using HDF (fibroblast) and HaCat (keratinocytes) cell lines were used to demonstrate its wound healing properties.

(Figure 1)

Figure 1.
Field emission scanning electron microscopic (FESEM) images showing surface morphology of antibacterial agent loaded film at 1000 X magnification.