A novel in situ-formed hydrogel wound dressing by the photocross-linking of a chitosan derivative

Abstract

In situ photopolymerized hydrogel dressings create minimally invasive methods that offer advantages over the use of preformed dressings such as conformability in any wound bed, convenience of application, and improved patient compliance and comfort. Here, we report an in situ-formed hydrogel membrane through ultraviolet cross-linking of a photocross-linkable azidobenzoic hydroxypropyl chitosan aqueous solution. The hydrogel membrane is stable, flexible, and transparent, with a bulk network structure of smoothness, integrity, and density. Fluid uptake ability, water vapor transmission rate, water retention, and bioadhesion of the thus resulted hydrogel membranes (0.1 mm thick) were determined to range from 97.0-96.3%, 2,934-2,561 g/m(2)/day, 36.69-22.94% (after 6 days), and 4.8-12.3 N/cm(2), respectively. These data indicate that the hydrogel membrane can maintain a long period of moist environment over the wound bed for enhancing reepithelialization. Specifically, these properties of the hydrogel membrane were controllable to some extent, by adjusting the substitution degree of the photoreactive azide groups. The hydrogel membrane also exhibited barrier function, as it was impermeable to bacteria but permeable to oxygen. In vitro experiments using two major skin cell types (dermal fibroblast and epidermal keratinocyte) revealed the hydrogel membrane have neither cytotoxicity nor an effect on cell proliferation. Taken together, the in situ photocross-linked azidobenzoic hydroxypropyl chitosan hydrogel membrane has a great potential in the management of wound healing and skin burn.

Permeability and Biocompatibility of Novel Medicated Hydrogel Wound Dressings

“…HaCaT cell line is often used to evaluate cytotoxicity of hydrogels as skin consists of different types of cells: keratinocytes, melanocytes, and fibroblasts (29,32,33). Further, it is well established that HaCaT cells play a crucial role in epidermal tissue regeneration.…”

A high efficacy antimicrobial acrylate based hydrogels with incorporated copper for wound healing application

“…The samples were swollen in phosphate buffer, pH 7.40 (0.1 mol/dm 3 ). Weight remaining (WR) percentage was calculated as follows [29]:…”

Polyelectrolyte complex materials from chitosan and gellan gum

“…Burn wounds (minor burns, medically treated, and hospitalized) have been healed by using hydrogel and advanced wound care products to increase tissue proliferation and to improve the healing process [13][14][15][16][17] .…”