Fibroin and Polyvinyl Alcohol Hydrogel Wound Dressing Containing Silk Sericin Prepared Using High-Pressure Carbon Dioxide

Abstract

Objective: To fabricate and investigate the properties of fibroin and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogels containing sericin prepared using high-pressure carbon dioxide (CO 2). Approach: In this study, fibroin/PVA hydrogels with and without sericin were prepared using the high-pressure CO 2 method. The physical and mechanical properties of the hydrogels were investigated using field-emission scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry, and the swelling, water retention, and compressive properties were assessed. Results: The hydrogels obtained from the combination of fibroin and PVA presented a compositional gradient along the hydrogel thickness and structure. The upper layer of the hydrogel consisted of a fibroin-based hydrogel blended with PVA, whereas the lower layer contained only fibroin. The mechanical properties regarding compression of the fibroin/PVA hydrogel were significantly better than those of the pure fibroin hydrogel, for hydrogels with and without sericin. Moreover, the mechanical properties of the hydrogels with sericin were significantly better than those without sericin. The water contents of all samples were >90%. Innovation: This study assessed a new combination of a wound healing agent and a biomaterial dressing. Moreover, this hydrogel production technique used a clean method without the need for a chemical crosslinking agent. Conclusion: The combination of the fibroin and PVA hydrogel and sericin prepared using the high-pressure CO 2 method led to good physical properties. This material may be a candidate for medical applications.

Synthesis and Characterization of Temperature‐/pH‐Responsive Hydrogels for Drug Delivery

“…Hydrogels are polymers with a three-dimensional network structure formed by covalent bonds, hydrogen bonds, van der Waals force, or ionic bonds. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] With the advantages of adhesion, biocompatibility, and degradability, hydrogels are biomaterials with excellent performance and have important applications in tissue engineering, [8][9][10] wound dressing, [11][12][13][14] drug delivery, [15][16][17][18][19] and so on. Hydrogels can be divided into intelligent hydrogels and non-intelligent hydrogels.…”

Physicochemical Properties of Egg-Box-Mediated Hydrogels with Transiently Decreased pH Employing Carbonated Water

“…Several studies have used CO 2 to facilitate or trigger hydrogel fabrication based on pH changes, expecting that the CO 2 would be released from the hydrogel into the atmosphere. − Some studies have reported that the formation of LM pectin/CaCO 3 hydrogels and alginate/CaCO 3 hydrogels − can be stimulated by employing high-pressure or supercritical CO 2 to dissolve a considerable amount of CO 2 in polymer-containing gelation mixtures. In these methods, the temperature and pressure of CO 2 are essential parameters to control the physicochemical properties of the final hydrogels.…”

Sericin-Based Poly(Vinyl) Alcohol Relieves Plaque and Epidermal Lesions in Psoriasis; a Chance for Dressing Development in a Specific Area

“…The silk proteins sericin and fibroin, which are obtained from Bombyx mori cocoons, are significant sources of natural biopolymers [6]. Silk protein was once thought to be a waste product from the silk industry, produced during the grafting process after the cocoon had been boiled.…”

“…When the silk protein cocoon is heated, the silk protein is washed off and discarded. However, numerous studies have shown that silk proteins have a wide range of beneficial properties, including the ability to be used as a medicine, dietary supplement, or ingredient in cosmetic products [6][7][8]. It also has anti-tyrosinase, which has antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and moisturizing properties [6,9].…”

“…However, numerous studies have shown that silk proteins have a wide range of beneficial properties, including the ability to be used as a medicine, dietary supplement, or ingredient in cosmetic products [6][7][8]. It also has anti-tyrosinase, which has antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and moisturizing properties [6,9]. Interestingly, a recent study showed that cream-based sericin improved the psoriatic condition in animal models by modulating epidermal inflammation and decreasing epidermal thickening [10].…”