Synergistic Effect of Glycyrrhizic Acid and ZnO/Palygorskite on Improving Chitosan-Based Films and Their Potential Application in Wound Healing

Abstract

The synergistic effect of chitosan (CS), glycyrrhizic acid (GA) and ZnO/palygorskite (ZnO/PAL) as potential wound dressing was evaluated in the form of films by the solution casting method. The nanocomposite films were well-characterized with ATR-FTIR, XRD and SEM to explore the interactions between CS, GA and ZnO/PAL. Physical, mechanical and antibacterial properties of the nanocomposite films were systematically investigated for their reliability in end-up utilization. Importantly, it was found that the presence of PAL in the films provided enhanced mechanical properties, whereas CS, GA and ZnO supplied a broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, especially for drug-resistant bacteria such as ESBL—E. coli and MRSA. Overall, this research demonstrated that the prepared films can be a promising candidate for wound-care materials.

Nanoparticle-Containing Wound Dressing: Antimicrobial and Healing Effects

“…In publications [ 46 , 47 ] biocomposite chitosan-based films modified with ZnO NPs were prepared that were active against wound-present pathogens, i.e., E. coli , S. aureus , K. pneumoniae , B. subtilis . The work [ 46 ] dealt with the analysis of a film based on chitosan (mol. weight 800 kDa), glycyrrhizinic acid and ZnO NPs/palygorskite nanorods.…”

“…In manuscript [ 48 ], the authors developed a wound dressing on the basis of cotton pads and a biocomposite consisting of chitosan, glycogen and 30–80 nm ZnO NPs. Contrary to publications [ 46 , 47 ], in [ 48 ] the healing effect of the material was studied as compared to sterile gauze. A fast and almost complete healing of back wounds in the Wistar rats was demonstrated (males weighing 180–200 g), as well as excellent epithelization, granulation, tissue generation and collagen deposition.…”

Glycyrrhizic Acid Protects Experimental Sepsis Rats against Acute Lung Injury and Inflammation

“…The results of this paper also proved that GA immensely improved the survival rate of CLP rats in a dose-dependent manner and effectively inhibited their systemic inflammatory response and the growth of bacteria in rat blood. An antibacterial study showed that the growth of Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus could be completely inhibited by GA; besides, Zhang et al found that chitosan, GA, and ZnO/palygorskite could supply a broad-spectrum antibacterial activity by the agar diffusion method [ 26 , 27 ]. In short, GA had antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects on experimental sepsis rats.…”

Clay Minerals and Biopolymers in Film Design: Overview of Properties and Applications

“…Therefore, chitosan/bentonite films possess several qualities suitable for use in exudative wound dressings. Zhang et al [135] developed chitosan/glycyrrhizic acid/ZnO/palygorskite films for treating skin wounds. The films exhibited light transmittance, barrier properties (including water content, water solubility, and swelling degree), improved mechanics, and thermal stability.…”