Calendulae flos is a valued plant material with known anti-inflammatory and antimicrobiological properties. The limitation for its use in the treatment of chronic
wounds is the lack of adhesion to the required site of action. Obtaining the
Calendulae flos lyophilized extract from water-ethanolic extract allowed to prepare valuable material whose
biological activity in the wound healing process was confirmed by a positive result of the scratch test. The
Calendulae flos lyophilized extract was standardized for the contents of the
chlorogenic acid and the
narcissin. The significant potency of the
Calendulae flos pharmacological activity has become the reason for studies on its novel applications in combination with the multifunctional
chitosan carrier, to create a new, valuable
solution in the treatment of chronic
wounds. The use of
chitosan as a carrier allowed for the controlled release of the
chlorogenic acid and the
narcissin. These substances, characterized by prolonged release from the
chitosan delivery system, were identified as well permeable, based on the results of the studies of the parallel
artificial membrane permeability assay (PAMPA Skin) a model simulating permeability through membrane skin. The combination of the
Calendulae flos lyophilized extract and the
chitosan allowed for synergy of action towards
hyaluronidase inhibition and effective microbiological activity. Optimization of the
hypromellose hydrogel preparation ensuring the required rheological properties necessary for the release of the
chlorogenic acid and the
narcissin from the
chitosan delivery system, as well as demonstrated antimicrobial activity allows indicating formulations of 3%
Calendulae flos lyophilized extract with
chitosan 80/500 in weight ratio 1:1 and 2% or 3%
hypromellose as an important support with high compliance of response and effectiveness for patients suffering from chronic
wounds.