@Article{jpm.2026.077511,
AUTHOR = {Edith O. Diovu, Calister E. Ugwu, Eunice N. Anaele, Samuel WisdomofGod Uzondu, Ogochukwu N. Umeh, Iheanacho O. Enyum, Kingsley C. Eze, Godswill C. Onunkwo, Anthony A. Attama},
TITLE = {Development of <i>Calopogonium mucunoides</i> PEGylated Solidified Reverse Micellar Suspensions: Polymer-Matrix Design for Sustainable Wound Application},
JOURNAL = {Journal of Polymer Materials},
VOLUME = {},
YEAR = {},
NUMBER = {},
PAGES = {{pages}},
URL = {http://www.techscience.com/jpm/online/detail/27172},
ISSN = {0976-3449},
ABSTRACT = {Polymer-lipid hybrid-based solidified reverse micellar suspensions (SRMs) have gained increasing
interest for topical drug delivery due to their ability to enhance solubility, stabilize bioactive compounds, and achieve
sustained skin permeation. In this study, PEGylated SRMs were developed using a beeswax: Phospholipon 90H
lipid matrix to enhance the solubility, stability, bioavailability, and wound-healing properties of a lipophilic extract
of <i>Calopogonium mucunoides</i> (CM). PEG: lipid matrix ratios (1:0, 0:1, 1:1, 1:2, 1:3) were formulated and designated
as CM1–CM5, with an unloaded matrix (CM6) as control. Physicochemical characterization included encapsulation
efficiency (EE%), spreadability, pH, viscosity, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning
calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and dynamic light scattering (DLS). <i>In vitro</i> release and
excision wound-healing assays were also conducted. PEGylated CM.SRMs demonstrated tunable polymer-matrix
interactions influencing drug loading and release behavior. The CM5, with the highest lipid content, showed maximum
EE (77%) and optimal rheological properties for skin retention. FTIR and DSC confirmed successful molecular
dispersion of CM within the polymer-lipid matrix without chemical incompatibility. SEM revealed rough and porous
structures that supported prolonged and sustained release, with particle sizes in the nanoscale (27.02 nm), and release
rates ranging from 48% to 90% over 6 h, depending on the PEG: lipid ratio. <i>In vivo</i>, CM.SRMs achieved significantly
accelerated wound contraction (~99%) and enhanced epithelialization compared to the standard treatment (p < 0.05).
These findings demonstrate that PEGylated polymer-lipid SRMs can improve bioavailability and provide sustained
therapeutic action of phytochemicals at the wound site. This polymer-engineered delivery system offers a promising,
sustainable alternative for wound management, particularly in resource-limited settings. However, the histological and
other biomarkers-based validation are recommended.},
DOI = {10.32604/jpm.2026.077511}
}