Physicochemical Characteristics of Chitosan-Based Hydrogels Modified with Equisetum arvense L. (Horsetail) Extract in View of Their Usefulness as Innovative Dressing Materials

Abstract

This work focused on obtaining and characterizing hydrogels with their potential application as dressing materials for chronic wounds. The research included synthesizing chitosan-based hydrogels modified with Equisetum arvense L. (horsetail) extract via photopolymerization, and their characteristics determined with regard to the impact of both the modifier and the amount of crosslinker on their properties. The investigations included determining their sorption properties and tensile strength, evaluating their behavior in simulated physiological liquids, and characterizing their wettability and surface morphology. The release profile of horsetail extract from polymer matrices in acidic and alkaline environments was also verified. It was proved that hydrogels showed swelling ability while the modified hydrogels swelled slightly more. Hydrogels showed hydrophilic nature (all contact angles were <77°). Materials containing horsetail extract exhibited bigger elasticity than unmodified polymers (even by 30%). It was proved that the extract release was twice as effective in an acidic medium. Due to the possibility of preparation of hydrogels with specific mechanical properties (depending on both the modifier and the amount of crosslinker used), wound exudate sorption ability, and possibility of the release of active substance, hydrogels show a great application potential as dressing materials.

The Functional and Application Possibilities of Starch/Chitosan Polymer Composites Modified by Graphene Oxide

“…Among the natural polymers used to create nanocomposites, polysaccharides have attracted particular attention. They are available, biodegradable and safe for humans; they have film, foaming and gel-forming properties; and they provide a barrier against oxygen and carbon dioxide [ 3 , 5 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ]. Depending on the origin, polymers may exhibit many other desirable attributes, such as antibacterial, antioxidant, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties.…”

Designing and In Vitro Characterization of pH-Sensitive Aspartic Acid-Graft-Poly(Acrylic Acid) Hydrogels as Controlled Drug Carriers

“…Hydrogels are three-dimensional structure networks, with a water holding capability of 10–20% in a random range up to a thousand times its dry weight [ 5 , 6 , 7 ]. A great interest has been shown recently in the development and use of stimuli-responsive smart hydrogels because they can show a response to physical, chemical, and environmental stimuli, i.e., temperature [ 8 ], pH [ 9 ], light, electric fields [ 10 ], and magnetic fields [ 11 ].…”

Synthesis, Characterization, Properties, and Biomedical Application of Chitosan-Based Hydrogels

“…From the observed SEM images, it could be found that in both initial and modified CBHs, the increasing amount of the crosslinking agent used during the synthesis process caused an increase in the crosslinking density of CBHs. Additionally, the patent influence of the modifier on the CBHs' surface morphology can also be observed [31].…”