Preparation and in vivo evaluation of a novel gel-based wound dressing using arginine–alginate surface-modified chitosan nanofibers

Abstract

The development of an effective wound dressing with the ability to induce skin wound healing is a great challenge in medicine. Nanofibers are highly attractive for wound dressing preparation due to their properties such as hemostasis induction, good absorption of wound exudates, and facilitation of cell growth. Chitosan nanofibers have attracted great attention for application in wound dressings due to their accelerating effects on wound healing. In this study, arginine surface-modified chitosan nanofibers were successfully prepared by attachment of arginine molecules on the surface of chitosan nanofibers using sodium alginate through electrostatic interaction. The effect of pH on the amount of attached arginine was evaluated at three different pH values; 5, 6, and 7. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and zeta potential of chitosan nanofibers before and after surface modification suggested the occurrence of the attachment of arginine to chitosan nanofibers. Scanning electron microscope images showed the nanofibrous structure of arginine surface-modified chitosan nanofibers with an average diameter ranging from 100 nm to 150 nm. The release of arginine from arginine surface-modified chitosan nanofibers gel showed a sustained release manner. The suitable viscosity and spreadability of arginine surface-modified chitosan nanofibers gel verified its easy application at the wound site. Arginine surface-modified chitosan nanofibers gel significantly improved the wound healing process including wound closure when tested in vivo using rat model. Additionally, histological examination and immunohistochemical studies showed the significant enhancement of the re-epithelialization, collagen deposition, and angiogenesis in the skin of the animal group treated with arginine surface-modified chitosan nanofibers gel compared with the other control groups. These results suggested that arginine surface-modified chitosan nanofibers gel could be introduced as an effective wound dressing.

Bioplatform Fabrication Approaches Affecting Chitosan-Based Interpolymer Complex Properties and Performance as Wound Dressings

“…The high viscosity property allows for the fibres to stay on the wound cavity instead of moving away in heavily exudated wounds. The fibres did not show any burst release, however, about 85% of arginine was release in 24 h and a wound closure of 93.8% ± 3.1 was observed after nine days [83]. The two studies above demonstrated the use of biocompatible polymers to fabricate biocompatible and cytocompatible BMPs with optimal properties.…”

“…An optimum cytocompatibility with the cell viability of 100.97% ± 0.071 and higher wound healing ratio was observed in the CS/Coll/Alg composite dressing treated rats than in the gauze or chitosan treated ones [48]. In an unrelated study, a similar concept in fibre preparation was employed; arginine surface-modified chitosan nanofibers were prepared by the attachment of arginine molecules on the surface of chitosan nanofibers using sodium alginate through electrostatic interaction [83]. The nanofibers had an average diameter ranging from 100 to 150 nm, and also showed high viscosity of 1000 cps [83].…”

“…In an unrelated study, a similar concept in fibre preparation was employed; arginine surface-modified chitosan nanofibers were prepared by the attachment of arginine molecules on the surface of chitosan nanofibers using sodium alginate through electrostatic interaction [83]. The nanofibers had an average diameter ranging from 100 to 150 nm, and also showed high viscosity of 1000 cps [83]. The high viscosity property allows for the fibres to stay on the wound cavity instead of moving away in heavily exudated wounds.…”

“…Although tissue re-epithelisation and cell proliferation were observed on the bilayered dressed wound, there were still several inflammatory cells present, therefore anti-inflammatory agents should be incorporated in the platform in future. Several alginate-chitosan complexes have been fabricated for wound dressing application in the literature [34,48,83]. These two polymers deserve a special review due to their several properties separately and together.…”

Nanofibrous Scaffolds for Skin Tissue Engineering and Wound Healing Based on Nature-Derived Polymers

“…Alginates were modified with a cell adhesive GRGDSP oligopeptide, which acts as ligand for integrin cell adhesion receptors [43]. Sodium alginate was used for attachment of arginine to the surface of chitosan nanofibers in order to increase healing capability of this wound dressing [46]. Alginate nanofibers supported by PCL were impregnated with an extract from Spirulina, a photosynthetic cyanobacterium producing bioactive molecules with anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects [45].…”