Alginate hydrogels incorporating neomycin or propolis as potential dressings for diabetic ulcers: Structure, swelling, and antimicrobial barrier properties

Abstract

Alginate hydrogels have many attractive characteristics for potential use as wound dressing materials. However, they are not considered to possess any intrinsic activity against microbial infection, often present in neuropathic wounds. To overcome this, the effect of incorporating neomycin or propolis in alginate hydrogels was investigated, both by direct blending alone and also by further addition of loaded alginate microparticles prepared by the extrusion dripping method. The morphological, microstructural, thermal, mechanical, and swelling properties of each film were evaluated, as well as particle size distribution and antimicrobial penetration analysis. Microparticle size was considered suitable for drug delivery applications and incorporation in hydrogel films. The presence of neomycin and propolis, in both blended and microparticle form, interfered with film properties leading to hydrogels with different characteristics. All samples showed swelling degrees up to 100% and mechanical and thermal properties suitable for application as wound dressings. In addition, all samples acted as barriers to microbial penetration.

Novel antibacterial hydrogels based on gelatin/polyvinyl-alcohol and graphene oxide/silver nanoconjugates: formulation, characterization, and preliminary biocompatibility evaluation

“…A much less abundant proportion of particles was detected in the range between 10-300 μm, indicating that shorter chains were less prevalent in the starting polymeric blend. Independent of the multimodality obtained, the dominant particle size ranges have been reported to be well suited for drug delivery and encapsulation purposes [ 103 ]. No apparent concentration-dependent trend is observed, but the freshly prepared formulations exhibited similar behavior.…”

Catechol-chitosan/polyacrylamide hydrogel wound dressing for regulating local inflammation

“…also used dopamine-composite chitosan and PAM to prepare hydrogels, which reached swelling equilibrium at 5 ​h, with mass swelling rates of 15.8 [ 58 ]. From another point of view, this also showed that the hydrogel formed by C-CS also enhanced the swelling performance of the DN hydrogel, which can make the DN hydrogel used as a wound dressing to absorb the exudate from the wound site [ 59 ].…”

3D Propolis-Sodium Alginate Scaffolds: Influence on Structural Parameters, Release Mechanisms, Cell Cytotoxicity and Antibacterial Activity

“…Odelius et al showed that the degradation rate of porous structures decreased with decreasing pore size [78]. Thirdly, the weight loss in Sample 3 resulted from the Ps releasing because hydrolytic degradation accelerates the Ps release with weight loss [74]. Still, this weight loss percentage was not more significant than Sample 1's weight loss percentage due to highly absorbent properties of SA polymers.…”

“…Oliveira et al observed that Ps causes less space for water uptake by filling the pores, thereby reducing the stretching in the fibers with less water [57]. Candido et al also showed that the addition of Ps and the interaction of SA chains with Ps result in low water absorption [74]. The swelling ratio is also correlated with the lower hydrophilic properties of Ps compared to alginate and in this case, practically, only SA adsorbed water leading to swelling and mass gain, at least for a while.…”