# Biocompatible Dipeptide-Based Nanogels Incorporating Cinnamic Acid for Applications in Skin Disorder Therapy

**Authors:** Jülide Secerli, Burcu Karayavuz, Hakan Erdoğan, Merve Güdül Bacanlı

PMC · DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics18020173 · 2026-01-28

## TL;DR

This study explores using cinnamic acid in biocompatible nanogels to treat skin disorders like melanoma and wounds.

## Contribution

The novel approach combines cinnamic acid with Fmoc-FF dipeptide nanogels for enhanced therapeutic delivery.

## Key findings

- Cinnamic acid showed significant anti-melanoma activity and wound healing promotion.
- Delivery via Fmoc-FF nanogels enhanced the therapeutic effects of cinnamic acid.
- The nanogel system is a promising platform for multifunctional skin disorder treatments.

## Abstract

Background/Objectives: Skin-related disorders such as melanoma, premature aging, and chronic wounds significantly impact individuals’ quality of life and psychological well-being. Melanoma, due to its high metastatic potential and poor response to conventional chemotherapeutic agents, remains a major clinical challenge. Additionally, skin aging and impaired wound healing continue to drive the demand for novel therapeutic strategies and bioactive formulations. Methods: In this study, cinnamic acid (CA), a naturally occurring compound with known anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, was incorporated into biocompatible Fmoc-FF dipeptide-based nanogels to improve its stability and therapeutic efficacy. The antitumor effects of CA and CA-loaded nanogels were evaluated using human melanoma (SK-MEL-30) cells, while wound healing activity was assessed on human keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells. Results: The results demonstrated that CA exhibited significant activity against melanoma cells and promoted wound healing, with enhanced effects observed when delivered via Fmoc-FF nanogels. Conclusions: These findings suggest that CA-loaded peptide nanogels represent a promising platform for multifunctional treatment approaches targeting various skin disorders.

## Linked entities

- **Chemicals:** cinnamic acid (PubChem CID 444539)
- **Diseases:** melanoma (MONDO:0005105)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (taxon 9606)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** ANXA5 (annexin A5) [NCBI Gene 308] {aka ANX5, CPB-I, ENX2, HEL-S-7, PP4, RPRGL3}, NFKB1 (nuclear factor kappa B subunit 1) [NCBI Gene 4790] {aka CVID12, EBP-1, KBF1, NF-kB, NF-kB1, NF-kappa-B1}, CXCL8 (C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 8) [NCBI Gene 3576] {aka GCP-1, GCP1, IL8, LECT, LUCT, LYNAP}, TYR (tyrosinase) [NCBI Gene 7299] {aka ATN, CMM8, OCA1, OCA1A, OCAIA, SHEP3}, TNF (tumor necrosis factor) [NCBI Gene 7124] {aka DIF, IMD127, TNF-alpha, TNFA, TNFSF2, TNLG1F}, GLB1 (galactosidase beta 1) [NCBI Gene 2720] {aka EBP, ELNR1, MPS4B}
- **Diseases:** skin cancer (MESH:D012878), cancer (MESH:D009369), anxiety (MESH:D001007), Melanoma (MESH:D008545), inflammation (MESH:D007249), chronic wounds (MESH:D014947), Skin Disorder (MESH:D012871), necrotic (MESH:D009336), depression (MESH:D003866), cytotoxicity (MESH:D064420), metastasize (MESH:D009362)
- **Chemicals:** SPAN  60 (MESH:C009298), 2-propanol (MESH:D019840), Dipeptide (MESH:D004151), xanthine (MESH:D019820), HFIP (MESH:C001337), ethanol (MESH:D000431), water (MESH:D014867), amide (MESH:D000577), alkene (MESH:D000475), CA (MESH:C029010), 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (MESH:C029569), peptide (MESH:D010455), carboxylic acid (MESH:D002264), EDTA (MESH:D004492), EtBr (MESH:D004996), mineral oil (MESH:D008899), C (MESH:D002244), H2DCFDA (MESH:C110400), streptomycin (MESH:D013307), Triton X-100 (MESH:D017830), methanol (MESH:D000432), trypan blue (MESH:D014343), Fmoc-FF (MESH:C000609769), bestatin (MESH:C012211), leupeptin (MESH:C032854), formazan (MESH:D005562), pepstatin A (MESH:C031375), hydrogen (MESH:D006859), TWEEN  60 (MESH:D011136), ROS (MESH:D017382), ice (MESH:D007053), DMSO (MESH:D004121), L-glutamine (MESH:D005973), CO2 (MESH:D002245), melanin (MESH:D008543), (NH4)2SO4 (MESH:D000645), agarose (MESH:D012685), paraformaldehyde (MESH:C003043), MTT (MESH:C070243), X-Gal (MESH:C044888), carbamate (MESH:D002219), oil (MESH:D009821), 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MESH:C022616), Chemicals (-), N-lauroylsarcosine sodium salt (MESH:C025231), H2O2 (MESH:D006861), propidium iodide (MESH:D011419), penicillin (MESH:D010406), SA (MESH:D000077145), nanogel (MESH:C413692), hexane (MESH:D006586)
- **Species:** Cinnamomum verum (Ceylon cinnamon, species) [taxon 128608], Panax ginseng (Asiatic ginseng, species) [taxon 4054], Cinnamomum aromaticum (species) [taxon 119260], Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]
- **Mutations:** C) for 1
- **Cell lines:** SK-MEL-30 — Homo sapiens (Human), Cutaneous melanoma, Cancer cell line (CVCL_0039), HaCaT — Homo sapiens (Human), Spontaneously immortalized cell line (CVCL_0038)

## Figures

9 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12944067/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12944067