Topical Gel Formulations of Epidermal Growth Factor and Their Wound Healing Effects

상피세포 성장인자를 함유한 외용 겔 제제의 특성 및 창상 치유 효과

Epidermal growth factor(EGF), a potential healing agent for wounds and burns, has been formulated to topical gels with the hydrophilic polymers, Carbopol 934P. Physicochemical c haracteristics of the aqueous gels were evaluated by rheological properties and pH changes on storage. The gels were relatively stable at $4^{\circ}C$ and room temperature showing no changes in pH for two weeks, and revealed the rheogram of shear thinning plastic flow with the yield values in the range of 40 to 70dyne/$cm^2$. In vivo healing effects of different gel formulations have been compared with water-soluble and oleaginous ointments in full-thickness wound mouse model. The gel systems resulted in better wound healing effects than the other ointments. Furthermore, liposomal Carbopol gel has been developed by the addition of EGF-containing liposomal suspension into the Carbopol gel. The enhanced wound healing effects have been observed in the liposomal gel system, compared to the other gels and conventional ointments.