Potential of frankincense essential oil-loaded whey protein nanoparticles embedded in frankincense resin as a wound healing film based on green technology

The implementation of naturally available curative compounds or the utilization of green biopolymers especially industrial byproducts, are recently applied to develop new topical formulations for treating or managing skin wounds. In this study, frankincense (FRK) essential oil was extracted from Bosolica papyrifera oliogum resin, and encapsulated into whey protein NPs using spray drying technique. A bionanocomposite film was then prepared by embedding FRK essential oil-loaded whey protein NPs into FRK resin using solvent casting technique. Morphological analysis by TEM showed that the prepared NPs were spherical in shape with diameter of about 151 nm and EE % of about 75.9%. The fabricated film showed good tensile strength and improved sustained release of FRK essential oil compared to the oil-loaded whey protein NPs alone. Moreover, it exhibited a significant antimicrobial behavior with very weak hemolytic activity. More importantly, when this film was applied in a full thickness animal wound model, it displayed remarkably improved healing with enhanced collagen deposition associated with decline in the gene expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and an increase in the gene expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF- β1) due to the ability of FRK essential oil to modulate inflammation and skin tissue remodeling, suggesting the excellent feasibility of this film as a highly efficient wound dressing film.