Integrating traditional herbal extracts into modern biomaterials offers a promising route for advanced wound care. A standardized Buddleja globosa Hope extract (BG-126), recognized for its therapeutic value, was incorporated into polymeric scaffolds with variable composition to explore their potential in promoting wound healing and controlling infections. This work aimed to identify the polymeric composition of a scaffold with BG-126 that maximizes its compatibility and antimicrobial properties. Scaffolds were developed by lyophilization using a Box–Behnken design (BBD) with chitosan, hyaluronic acid, and gelatin content as study factors. Thirteen scaffold formulations were tested for their antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, including biofilm forms, as well as for their biocompatibility with normal human fibroblasts. Structural and physical properties, such as the moisture content and swelling capacity, were evaluated. The best-performing scaffold was analyzed using Raman spectroscopy. The chitosan content was strongly associated with antimicrobial efficacy, while gelatin enhanced fibroblast compatibility (R² ≥ 0.9). No correlations were identified between the polymeric content and biofilm inhibition or physical properties. BG-126-loaded scaffolds reduced planktonic and biofilm proliferation and improved fibroblast compatibility compared to the control scaffold (without BG-126). The results support the rational design of botanical-loaded scaffolds with targeted properties for wound healing.

Background/Objectives: Candidiasis, an opportunistic fungal infection caused by Candida species, is a major health problem, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. Increasing resistance of yeasts such as Candida spp. to pharmacological antifungal agents makes it necessary to explore alternative treatments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antifungal potential of Gomortega keule essential oil (GKEO) against Candida spp. by assessing growth and development at 24 and 48 h. Encapsulation and characterization of a stable nanoemulsion were carried out to enhance efficacy. Methods: The anti-yeast activity of both free GKEO and the nanoemulsion against Candida albicans, C. glabrata, and C. guilliermondii was evaluated using a microdilution method to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) at 24 and 48 h. Results: GC-MS/MS analysis identified forty-one components in GKEO, the main ones being eucalyptol (21.41%), 4-terpineol (19.62%), and α-terpinyl acetate (13.89%). Antifungal assays revealed that both free and nanoemulsion-formulated GKEO inhibited the growth of all tested Candida strains. At 48 h, the nanoformulated GKEO achieved a MIC value of 32 µg/mL and an MFC of 64 µg/mL for C. albicans and C. glabrata and showed higher antifungal activity compared to the free oil, in particular against C. albicans, exhibiting a four-fold lower MFC value. The activity of the nanoformulation was comparable to or better than fluconazole against C. glabrata and C. guilliermondii. Conclusions: The GKEO nanoemulsion potentiated anti-yeast activity against Candida spp. The formulation improved the efficacy of GKEO, suggesting its potential as an alternative or adjunctive treatment for candidiasis.

Chronic wounds are frequently complicated by biofilm-associated infections that impair healing and limit treatment efficacy. Buddleja globosa (BG) exhibits antimicrobial and regenerative properties, making it a promising candidate for advanced wound care. This study aimed to optimize the concentration of a standardized BG extract incorporated into polymeric scaffolds for the treatment of wounds infected with the dual-species biofilm (DSB) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Scaffolds containing increasing BG concentrations (BG1 to BG4) were fabricated by lyophilization and characterized in terms of physicochemical properties, antimicrobial activity, and cytocompatibility. Their therapeutic efficacy was further evaluated using an in vitro artificial wound model and a murine model of a DSB-infected wound. BG incorporation significantly influenced the scaffold properties. While BG1–BG3 maintained a comparable structure and mechanical integrity, BG4 exhibited a reduced pore size, swelling capacity, and mechanical resistance. All BG-loaded scaffolds reduced bacterial viability in vitro, with BG4 showing the strongest antimicrobial effect. In vivo, BG2 showed the most consistent overall performance, combining improved wound closure at day 6 with complete re-epithelialization at the endpoint. BG3 improved wound closure at day 6 but did not outperform it in re-epithelialization. In contrast, BG4 did not enhance healing despite its higher antimicrobial activity in vitro. These findings demonstrate that scaffold performance is governed by the interplay between extract loading and physicochemical properties, and that intermediate BG concentrations provide more favorable conditions for tissue repair than higher loadings. This work supports the potential of BG-loaded scaffolds as a therapeutic strategy for biofilm-infected chronic wounds.

Orally inhaled drug products (OIDPs) are an important group of medicines traditionally used to treat pulmonary diseases. Over the past decade, this trend has broadened, increasing their use in other conditions such as diabetes, expanding the interest in this administration route. Thus, the bioequivalence of OIDPs is more important than ever, aiming to increase access to affordable, safe and effective medicines, which translates into better public health policies. However, regulatory agencies leading the bioequivalence process are still deciding the best approach for ensuring a proposed inhalable product is bioequivalent. This lack of agreement translates into less cost-effective strategies to determine bioequivalence, discouraging innovation in this field. The Next-Generation Impactor (NGI) is an example of the slow pace at which the inhalation field evolves. The NGI was officially implemented in 2003, being the last equipment innovation for OIDP characterization. Even though it was a breakthrough in the field, it did not solve other deficiencies of the BE process such as dissolution rate analysis on physiologically relevant conditions, being the last attempt of transferring technology into the field. This review aims to reveal the steps required for innovation in the regulations defining the bioequivalence of OIDPs, elucidating the pitfalls of implementing new technologies in the current standards. To do so, we collected the opinion of experts from the literature to explain these trends, showing, for the first time, the stakeholders of the OIDP market. This review analyzes the stakeholders involved in the development, improvement and implementation of methodologies that can help assess bioequivalence between OIDPs. Additionally, it presents a list of methods potentially useful to overcome some of the current limitations of the bioequivalence standard methodologies. Finally, we review one of the most revolutionary approaches, the inhaled Biopharmaceutical Classification System (IBCs), which can help establish priorities and order in both the innovation process and in regulations for OIDPs.