Topical Delivery of 4-Aminopyridine Enhances Skin Regeneration in Burn Wounds

The study explores the topical application of 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) in a laponite-gelatin gel formulation for treating burn wounds. Traditionally used for multiple sclerosis, 4-AP has been shown to accelerate burn wound closure by transforming keratinocytes and fibroblasts. The topical delivery method aims to avoid the side effects associated with systemic use. The research demonstrated that the 4-AP gel enhances wound healing by promoting re-epithelialization, hair follicle regeneration, and fibroblast to myofibroblast transformation, which aids in extracellular matrix remodeling. This approach could provide a promising alternative to existing burn treatments, potentially improving patient outcomes.