The present study
describes the development of multifunctional
hemostatic sponges to control bleeding. Chitosan (Ch) and poly(vinyl
alcohol) (PVA) were selected as the basic polymeric matrix [Ch/PVA]
for sponges. Glycerol and citric acid were used as crosslinkers [Ch/PVA/G(Cl)]
to enhance the mechanical properties of the developed sponges. Ciprofloxacin
(AB) was added to the developed sponge to impart antibacterial activity.
Hydroxyapatite (HA) was also added, which would make the sponge suitable
for bone surgery. Among the developed sponges, the Ch/PVA/G(Cl)-HA-AB
sponge demonstrated enhanced cell viability, mechanical properties,
and strong antimicrobial effect against
Escherichia
coli
,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
, and
Staphylococcus aureus
, in addition
to platelet aggregation activity. The addition of ciprofloxacin and
hydroxyapatite promotes a unique synergistic effect of antimicrobial
activity and hemostasis. Thus, the present study introduces Ch/PVA/G(Cl)-HA-AB,
a multifunctional hemostatic sponge that would be suitable for bone
surgical applications.