Bioadhesive Polymeric Films Based on Red Onion Skins Extract for Wound Treatment: An Innovative and Eco-Friendly Formulation

• Main Authors: Cinzia Pagano, Maura Marinozzi, Claudio Baiocchi, Tommaso Beccari, Paola Calarco, Maria Rachele Ceccarini, Michela Chielli, Ciriana Orabona, Elena Orecchini, Roberta Ortenzi, Maurizio Ricci, Stefania Scuota, Maria Cristina Tiralti, Luana Perioli
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-01-01
• Series: Molecules
• Subjects: onion skins extract; hydrogel; polymeric films; anti-inflammatory; antibacterial
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/25/2/318

The onion non-edible outside layers represent a widely available waste material deriving from its processing and consumption. As onion is a vegetable showing many beneficial properties for human health, a study aiming to evaluate the use of extract deriving from the non-edible outside layers was planned. An eco-friendly extraction method was optimized using a hydroalcoholic solution as solvent. The obtained extract was deeply characterized by in vitro methods and then formulated in autoadhesive, biocompatible and pain-free hydrogel polymeric films. The extract, very soluble in water, showed antioxidant, radical scavenging, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities, suggesting a potential dermal application for wounds treatment. In vitro studies showed a sustained release of the extract from the hydrogel polymeric film suitable to reach concentrations necessary for both antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities. Test performed on human keratinocytes showed that the formulation is safe suggesting that the projected formulation could be a valuable tool for wound treatment.