Polymer/Iron-Based Layered Double Hydroxides as Multifunctional Wound Dressings

Abstract

This work presents the development of multifunctional therapeutic membranes based on a high-performance block copolymer scaffold formed by polyether (PE) and polyamide (PA) units (known as PEBA) and layered double hydroxide (LDH) biomaterials, with the aim to study their uses as wound dressings. Two LDH layer compositions were employed containing Mg2+ or Zn2+, Fe3+ and Al3+ cations, intercalated with chloride anions, abbreviated as Mg-Cl or Zn-Cl, or intercalated with naproxenate (NAP) anions, abbreviated as Mg-NAP or Zn-NAP. Membranes were structurally and physically characterized, and the in vitro drug release kinetics and cytotoxicity assessed. PEBA-loading NaNAP salt particles were also prepared for comparison. Intercalated NAP anions improved LDH–polymer interaction, resulting in membranes with greater mechanical performance compared to the polymer only or to the membranes containing the Cl-LDHs. Drug release (in saline solution) was sustained for at least 8 h for all samples and release kinetics could be modulated: a slower, an intermediate and a faster NAP release were observed from membranes containing Zn-NAP, NaNAP and Mg-NAP particles, respectively. In general, cell viability was higher in the presence of Mg-LDH and the membranes presented improved performance in comparison with the powdered samples. PEBA containing Mg-NAP sample stood out among all membranes in all the evaluated aspects, thus being considered a great candidate for application as multifunctional therapeutic dressings.

Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Evaluation of a Phytochemical Intercalated into Layered Double Hydroxide

“…Just a few works showed in vivo tests to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of such formulations [ 31 , 32 , 33 ]. Bonina et al [ 50 ] performed an assay with a gel containing LDH with diclofenac for topic application in humans, to decrease cutaneous erythema, and found higher efficiency of the intercalated compound when compared to free diclofenac.…”

“…Several works regarding the intercalation of NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and naproxen into the LDH materials have reported distinct layer compositions and different preparation methods and characterization techniques. On the other hand, biological assays with the intercalated anti-inflammatory drugs are still scarce [ 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ]. We have prepared and performed a deep structural characterization of M 2 Al-Cou (M = Mg 2+ or Zn 2+ ) materials with high loading capacity (about 32–35 wt.%) [ 34 ].…”

Layered double hydroxide-based nanomaterials for biomedical applications

“…Other applications of LDHs in tissue engineering are summarized in Table 3. [463][464][465][466][467][468][469][470][471][472][473][474][475][476] However, further research effort should be devoted to evaluating the clinical application of LDHs in regenerative medicine comprehensively.…”

Biomaterials Based on Organic Polymers and Layered Double Hydroxides Nanocomposites: Drug Delivery and Tissue Engineering

“…After solvent evaporation under ambient or controlled pressure, humidity, and temperature conditions, polymer precipitates, generating the polymeric membrane. The casting method has been widely employed for the preparation of a variety of polymer/LDH composite membranes from natural or synthetic polymers [ 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 ].…”

“…Mg 2 Fe 0.5 Al 0.5 -NAP and Zn 2 Fe 0.5 Al 0.5 -NAP LDH particles were also employed by Figueiredo et al [ 65 ] for the development of casting membranes based on the polyether-block-polyamide block copolymer (PEBA) aiming wound dressings preparation. LDH particles improved the mechanical properties of PEBA.…”