Study on Formulation and Evaluation of Nanofiber-Based Transdermal Patch for Diabetes and Wound Care using Herbal Extracts of Gotu Kola and Moringa Oleifera: A Review

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a prevalent metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia, often resulting in delayed wound healing and associated complications. Conventional therapies, including oral hypoglycemic agents and insulin, are limited by systemic side effects, poor patient compliance, and fluctuating drug levels. Herbal-based nanofiber transdermal patches present a novel approach by integrating phytotherapeutic efficacy with nanotechnology for sustained and targeted delivery. Centella asiatica (Gotu Kola) promotes wound healing through enhanced collagen synthesis, fibroblast proliferation, and angiogenesis, while Moringa oleifera exhibits antidiabetic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. The combination 13e hyperglycemia and impaired wound repair. This review comprehensively examines the pharmacological activities and phytochemical profiles of Gotu Kola and Moringa, nanofiber and solvent-cast patch fabrication techniques, formulation strategies, and critical evaluation parameters including mechanical properties, drug release kinetics, skin permeation, and pharmacological efficacy. Challenges related to herbal extract stability, polymer compatibility, and regulatory considerations are discussed. Finally, future perspectives are outlined, emphasizing the potential of this dual-action herbal nanofiber transdermal patch as a safe, cost-effective, and patient-compliant therapeutic strategy for managing diabetes and promoting wound healing.

Introduction

1. Global Burden of Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus affects over 500 million people globally, expected to reach 700 million by 2045.

• Type 1 DM: Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic β-cells.

• Type 2 DM: Insulin resistance and deficiency.
  Chronic hyperglycemia leads to neuropathy, retinopathy, nephropathy, cardiovascular disease, and delayed wound healing.

2. Diabetic Wound Healing

Diabetic wounds, especially foot ulcers, show delayed healing due to:

• Reduced collagen synthesis and angiogenesis

• Persistent inflammation and oxidative stress
  Conventional dressings and antibiotics often fail because of poor penetration and frequent reapplication needs.

3. Limitations of Conventional Therapy

Oral and injectable antidiabetic treatments face issues such as:

• Poor compliance due to frequent dosing

• Fluctuating blood glucose levels

• Systemic side effects (hypoglycemia, GI issues)

• Low bioavailability due to degradation in the gut

4. Transdermal Drug Delivery Systems (TDDS)

TDDS offers non-invasive, controlled, and sustained release of drugs through the skin.
Advantages:

• Improved compliance

• Reduced toxicity

• Localized action for wounds

• Potential for herbal–nanofiber integration, merging phytotherapy with nanotechnology.

5. Herbal Therapeutics

a. Centella asiatica (Gotu Kola)

• Traditional herb used for skin repair and wound healing.

• Active compounds: Asiaticoside, Madecassoside.

• Functions:

  • Stimulates fibroblast proliferation, collagen synthesis, angiogenesis

  • Reduces inflammation and oxidative stress

  • Clinically proven to enhance tissue regeneration and wound closure.

b. Moringa oleifera

• Known as “Drumstick tree”, used for antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory effects.

• Rich in flavonoids, isothiocyanates, vitamins, and minerals.

• Functions:

  • Enhances insulin secretion and glucose uptake

  • Promotes collagen deposition and angiogenesis

  • Demonstrated improved wound healing in diabetic models.

c. Synergistic Potential

Combining Gotu Kola + Moringa achieves:

• Dual action — antidiabetic (Moringa) + wound healing (Gotu Kola)

• Enhanced antioxidant protection

• Addresses both cause (hyperglycemia) and effect (chronic wounds).

6. Nanofiber-Based Transdermal Delivery

Nanofibers (50–500 nm) are fabricated mainly by electrospinning or solvent casting.
Advantages:

• High drug loading capacity

• Controlled, sustained release

• Biocompatibility and skin permeability

Polymers used: PVA, PCL, Gelatin, HPMC — with plasticizers (PEG, Glycerin) and permeation enhancers (Oleic acid, Tween 80).

7. Fabrication Techniques

a. Electrospinning:

• Produces nanofibers via high-voltage polymer jet.

• Ensures uniform herbal encapsulation and sustained drug release.

• Coaxial electrospinning allows dual-release and protection of sensitive herbal compounds.

b. Solvent Casting:

• Simple, cost-effective method producing herbal films.

• Protects bioactive compounds but offers lower porosity and diffusion-based release.

Comparison:
Electrospinning → High porosity, sustained release (ideal for wounds).
Solvent casting → Simpler, but less controlled release.

8. Example Herbal Patch Formulation

9. Evaluation Parameters

• Physical: Thickness, tensile strength, folding endurance.

• Morphology: SEM imaging for fiber uniformity and porosity.

• Drug Content: Measured by spectrophotometry/HPLC.

• In Vitro & Ex Vivo Tests: For release kinetics and skin permeation.

• Pharmacological Tests: Wound contraction, collagen formation, glucose reduction.

10. Key Findings from Studies

11. Advantages of Dual-Action Herbal Nanofiber Patches

? Treats hyperglycemia and wound healing simultaneously
? Sustained release reduces frequent dosing
? Non-invasive and improves patient comfort
? Fewer systemic side effects
? Cost-effective and herbal-based

12. Challenges & Future Scope

Challenges:

• Herbal stability and polymer compatibility

• Scale-up and regulatory hurdles

• Need for human clinical trials

Future Directions:

• 3D-printed and smart (glucose-responsive) patches

• Personalized formulations based on patient needs

• Integration with nanocarriers (liposomes, nanoparticles)

• Multi-herb combinations for improved outcomes

Overall Conclusion

Conclusion

Herbal-based nanofiber transdermal patches using Centella asiatica and Moringa oleifera represent a promising strategy for dual-action therapy in diabetes and wound healing. Nanofiber technology enables controlled release, improved permeation, and enhanced patient compliance, providing a cost-effective and natural therapeutic option. Future research focusing on clinical translation, advanced fabrication, and multi-herb synergistic formulations could revolutionize management of diabetic wounds.

References

[1] Shirwaikar A, et al. Wound healing activity of Centella asiatica. J Ethnopharmacol. 2002;82:61–65. [2] Stohs SJ, et al. Moringa oleifera: Phytochemistry and medicinal properties. Phytother Res. 2015;29:796–804. [3] Bhardwaj N, Kundu SC. Electrospinning: A fascinating fiber fabrication technique. Biotechnol Adv. 2010;28:325–347. [4] Prausnitz MR, Langer R. Transdermal drug delivery. Nat Biotechnol. 2008;26:1261–1268. [5] Lapmanee S, et al. Transfersomal delivery of Centella asiatica promotes wound healing. PMC. 2025. [6] Pareek A, et al. Moringa oleifera: An updated comprehensive review. PMC. 2023. [7] Ghosh S, et al. Development of PVA and Moringa oleifera-based nanofiber patches. ResearchGate. 2024. [8] Liu H, et al. Recent progress of electrospun herbal medicine nanofibers. MDPI. 2023. [9] Jiang X, et al. Enhancing diabetic wound healing: Advances in nanofiber scaffolds. PMC. 2024. [10] Razif R, et al. Asiaticoside-loaded multifunctional bioscaffolds. MDPI. 2025. [11] Palani N, et al. Electrospun nanofibers synthesized from polymers for wound healing. BioMed Central. 2024. [12] Lu T, et al. Natural bioactive compound-integrated nanomaterials for wound healing. MDPI. 2025. [13] Witkowska K, et al. Topical application of Centella asiatica in wound healing. PMC. 2024. [14] Chen Z, et al. Polymeric nanomedicines in diabetic wound healing. PMC. 2025. [15] Dhanasekaran S, et al. Synergistic effect of herbal compounds on wound healing. J Ethnopharmacol. 2022. [16] Agarwal S, et al. Electrospinning: Nanofiber technology for tissue engineering. Mater Sci Eng C. 2013;33:2871–2881. [17] Ramakrishna S, et al. Nanofiber fabrication and applications. J Nanosci Nanotechnol. 2014;14:3567–3578. [18] Zhang C, et al. Herbal nanofibers in transdermal therapy. Int J Pharm. 2022;615:121479. [19] Huang Z, et al. Factors affecting electrospinning and nanofiber morphology. Polym Eng Sci. 2021;61:1014–1025. [20] Li D, et al. Coaxial electrospinning of herbal-loaded nanofibers. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2020;12:23456–23465. [21] Sultana N, et al. Standardization of herbal extracts for nanotechnology applications. J Pharm Sci. 2021;110:1234–1245. [22] Choi JS, et al. Mechanical evaluation of nanofiber films for transdermal patches. Mater Sci Eng C. 2021;118:111485. [23] Yang Y, et al. Morphological characterization of herbal nanofibers. Int J Biol Macromol. 2020;165:1504–1515. [24] Kapoor R, et al. Drug content and entrapment efficiency in nanofiber patches. J Drug Deliv Sci Technol. 2019;53:101174. [25] Sinha A, et al. In vitro release and kinetic modeling of herbal patches. Drug Dev Ind Pharm. 2020;46:1892–1902. [26] Wang H, et al. Ex vivo permeation studies for herbal transdermal systems. Int J Pharm. 2019;562:282–291. [27] Alarcon R, et al. Pharmacological evaluation of dual-action herbal patches. Phytomedicine. 2021;80:153381. [28] Prakash S, et al. Advantages of herbal nanofiber transdermal patches. Curr Drug Deliv. 2022;19:1141–1152. [29] Singh D, et al. Stability challenges in herbal nanofiber formulations. Pharmaceutics. 2021;13:1230. [30] Mishra A, et al. Nanotechnology integration in herbal transdermal systems. Int J Pharm. 2023;626:122134.

Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Shravanee Pawar , Sahil Patil, Harshada Ohwal, Shripad Patange, Yalappa Pujari, Vishal Rathod. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.