Background: Due to its excellent microbicidal activity, povidone-iodine (PVP-I) is used for local anti-infective treatment, especially for wound antisepsis of the skin. Previous studies have shown that liposomal PVP-I formulations are less cytotoxic and that a special liposomal PVP-I hydrogel provides wound healing efficacy.
Objective: In the present study, the angiotoxic activity of the liposomal and the aqueous PVP-I formulations were comparatively tested at the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of chick embryos.
Methods: Test preparations were administered onto the CAM of ex ovo cultivated chick embryos. At different time intervals, the local irritation of the blood vessels was examined microscopically and assigned to a score of vascular injury.
Results: Angioirritative reactions of the CAM were manifest as coagulation, vascular congestion and hemorrhages. The liposomal formulations containing 0.1, 0.5 or 1% PVP-I were found to be significantly less angiotoxic than the corresponding aqueous formulations.
Conclusion: The angioirritative potential of PVP-I is significantly reduced by its liposomal encapsulation.
Copyright 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel