Development strategy of novel drug formulations for the delivery of doxycycline in the treatment of wounds of various etiologies

Doxycycline hyclate (DOXH) is a broad-spectrum antibiotic derived synthetically from tetracycline. Despite its use in clinical practice for more than 40 years, DOXH remains an effective antibiotic with retained activity. The potential advantages of DOXH for wound healing therapy include its mechanisms of action, such as anti-inflammatory effects, antioxidant properties, modulation of cellular processes, stimulation of collagen synthesis, and antimicrobial activity. As current standards of care aim to improve wound healing by promoting rapid closure, a relevant direction is the development of novel DOXH formulations for parenteral delivery that enhance both skin regeneration and control of infectious conditions. Oral delivery is the most common and commercially available route for administering DOXH therapeutic agents. However, parenteral delivery of DOXH, where the antibiotic substance is not in a solid state (as in powdered or compressed solid form) but rather dissolved in any carrier, presents challenges regarding DOX solubility and the stability of DOXH solutions, which are major factors complicating the development of new formulations for parenteral administration. This review discusses the achievements in research strategies and the development of new pharmaceutical formulations for the delivery of doxycycline in the treatment of wounds of various etiologies.