The development of a solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN)-based lacticin 3147 hydrogel for the treatment of wound infections

Chronic wounds affect millions of people globally. This number is set to rise with the increasing incidence of antimicrobial-resistant bacterial infections, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which impair the healing of chronic wounds. Lacticin 3147 is a two-peptide chain bacteriocin produced by Lactococcus lactis that is active against S. aureus including MRSA strains. Previously, poor physicochemical properties of the peptides were overcome by the encapsulation of lacticin 3147 into solid lipid nanoparticles. Here, a lacticin 3147 solid lipid nanoparticle gel is proposed as a topical treatment for S. aureus and MRSA wound infections. Initially, lacticin 3147’s antimicrobial activity against S. aureus was determined before encapsulation into solid lipid nanoparticles. An optimised gel formulation with the desired physicochemical properties for topical application was developed, and the lacticin-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles and free lacticin 3147 aqueous solution were incorporated into separate gels. The release of lacticin 3147 from both the solid lipid nanoparticle and free lacticin gels was measured where the solid lipid nanoparticle gel exhibited increased activity for a longer period (11 days) compared to the free lacticin gel (9 days). Both gels displayed potent activity ex vivo against S. aureus-infected pig skin with significant bacterial eradication (> 75%) after 1 h. Thus, a long-acting potent lacticin 3147 solid lipid nanoparticle gel with the required physicochemical properties for topical delivery of lacticin 3147 to the skin for the potential treatment of S. aureus-infected chronic wounds was developed. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: [Image: see text] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13346-023-01332-9.