# Lincomycin HCl-loaded nanoparticles: development, optimization, and incorporation into a nanogel for wound healing

**Authors:** Aisha Sethi, Rabia Zaheer, Shazia Akram Ghumman, Asif Massud, Shazia Noureen, Ali Irfan, Mahwish Arshad, Muhammad Khawar Abbas, Mudassar Mazher, Yousef A. Bin Jardan

PMC · DOI: 10.1039/d5ra08465b · 2026-01-13

## TL;DR

Researchers developed a nanogel containing lincomycin-loaded chitosan nanoparticles that effectively promote wound healing and fight bacteria.

## Contribution

A novel nanogel system incorporating lincomycin HCl-loaded chitosan nanoparticles for enhanced wound healing and antimicrobial activity.

## Key findings

- The optimized nanoparticles had a mean size of 174.3 nm and 83.7% drug entrapment efficiency.
- The nanogel showed sustained drug release (>75% in 24 hours) and strong antibacterial activity against S. aureus and E. coli.
- In vivo tests showed almost complete wound closure in 14 days in treated rats compared to controls.

## Abstract

The present study focused on developing and evaluating lincomycin HCl (LCH)-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) incorporated into a nanogel system to improve wound healing. CSNPs were prepared via ionic gelation using sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) as a cross-linker. The optimized formulation showed a mean particle size of 174.3 nm, a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.267, a zeta potential of +29.4 mV, and a drug entrapment efficiency of 83.7%. FTIR, DSC, and XRD analyses confirmed successful drug encapsulation and stability with no chemical interactions. The formulation demonstrated sustained release (>75% in 24 hours) following non-Fickian kinetics. Antibacterial testing revealed improved efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli with inhibition zones of 45 mm ± 2.76 and 38 mm ± 2.15, respectively. In vivo wound healing studies in rats demonstrated almost complete wound closure within 14 days in the treated group, compared to significantly slower healing in the control group. These results show that the LCH–CSNP nanogel provides controlled drug release, effective antimicrobial action, and accelerated wound healing, highlighting its potential as a topical therapeutic platform.

The present study focused on developing and evaluating lincomycin HCl (LCH)-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) incorporated into a nanogel system to improve wound healing.

## Linked entities

- **Chemicals:** lincomycin HCl (PubChem CID 64710)
- **Species:** Rattus norvegicus (taxon 10116)

## Full-text entities

- **Chemicals:** chitosan (MESH:D048271), LCH (MESH:D008034), STPP (MESH:C005692), CSNP (-)
- **Species:** Escherichia coli (E. coli, species) [taxon 562], Rattus norvegicus (brown rat, species) [taxon 10116], Staphylococcus aureus (species) [taxon 1280]

## Figures

13 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12797205/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12797205