Digest Journal of Nanomaterials and Biostructures, 3(16), p. 929-938, 2021
DOI: 10.15251/djnb.2021.163.929
Knowing the biological and pharmacological properties of propolis, the first goal of our study was to prepare and characterize a propolis nano-formulation (NPs) in order to be used for wound healing applications. The ability of propolis NPs to stimulate the migration of dermal fibroblasts in vitro was assessed by scratch test assay. The concentration of 200 μg/mL propolis NPs was found to have similar effect as the positive control. The second goal was to prepare a propolis-collagen membrane and to investigate the morphological and nanoindentation properties by AFM. The ultrastructure network of collagen fibrils was not affected by incorporation of propolis NPs, showing a nano-porous structure, favorable for soft tissue regeneration applications. Enzymatic degradation assay indicated a reduced degradation rate upon incorporation of propolis NPs in collagen matrix.