Antibiotic-Loaded Psyllium Husk Hemicellulose and Gelatin-Based Polymeric Films for Wound Dressing Application

Abstract

Wound infections are one of the major reasons for the delay in the healing of chronic wounds and can be overcome by developing effective wound dressings capable of absorbing exudate, providing local antibiotic release, and improving patient comfort. Arabinoxylan (AX) is a major hemicellulose present in psyllium seed husk (PSH) and exhibits promising characteristics for developing film dressings. Herein, AX-gelatin (GL) films were prepared by blending AX, gelatin (GL), glycerol, and gentamicin (antibiotic). Initially, the optimal quantities of AX, GL, and glycerol for preparing transparent, bubble-free, smooth, and foldable AX-GL films were found. Physiochemical, thermal, morphological, drug release, and antibacterial characteristics of the AX-GL films were evaluated to investigate their suitability as wound dressings. The findings suggested that the mechanical, water vapor transmission, morphological, and expansion characteristics of the optimized AX-GL films were within the required range for wound dressing. The results of Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) analyses suggested chemical compatibility among the ingredients of the films. In in vitro drug release and antibacterial activity experiments, gentamicin (GM)-loaded AX-GL films released approximately 89% of the GM in 24 h and exhibited better antibacterial activity than standard GM solution. These results suggest that AX-GL films could serve as a promising dressing to protect against wound infections.

Development and Characterization of Gentamicin-Loaded Arabinoxylan-Sodium Alginate Films as Antibacterial Wound Dressing

“…The WVTR of AXSA films was measured following the previously reported procedure with some modifications [ 32 ]. Briefly, AXSA films were cut into ~2.5 cm diameter and placed on openings of glass vials containing 2 g of CaCl 2 (desiccant).…”

“…Then, these vials were weighed and kept in a desiccator at 85 ± 3% RH and 25 ± 2 °C. The change in the weights of the vials was noted at constant time intervals up to 24 h. WVTR was calculated according to the formula described earlier [ 32 ].…”

“…Arabinoxylan (AX), isolated from the husk of Plantago ovata (psyllium) seed husk (PSH), is a branched polysaccharide that mainly contains xylose backbone and arabinose side chains with a minor percentage of rhamnose and uronic acids [ 31 ]. AX is an attractive material for biomedical applications owing to its biocompatible, film-forming, water absorption, and drug delivery characteristics [ 32 , 33 ]. In our previous studies, AX and AX-gelatin (AX-GL) films exhibited potential for film dressing application [ 32 , 33 ].…”

“…AX is an attractive material for biomedical applications owing to its biocompatible, film-forming, water absorption, and drug delivery characteristics [ 32 , 33 ]. In our previous studies, AX and AX-gelatin (AX-GL) films exhibited potential for film dressing application [ 32 , 33 ]. However, there is a need to improve the features of these AX-based films, especially their mechanical stability in the wound exudate.…”

Antimicrobial and antihemolytic properties of a CNF/AgNP-chitosan film: A potential wound dressing material

“…In general, a good wound dressing must meet a number of conditions, such as preventing the growth of pathogenic bacteria and absorbing the exudate of the wound while still maintaining the moisture content of the wound, supporting the process of tissue regeneration and accelerating the process of wound healing [9][10][11]. Nanomaterials, such as AgNPs, have recently sparked interest because the synthesis process is capable of being carried out and conditioned in a variety of ways, depending on the needs and subsequent use [5,8,12,13].…”