RESUMEN
Topical wound infections create the ideal conditions for microbial colonization and growth in terms of moisture, temperature, and nutrients. When they are not protected, numerous types of bacteria from the internal microbiota and the external environment may colonize them, creating a polymicrobial population. Treatment of these wounds often necessitates the use of antibiotics that may have systemic harmful effects. Unlike antibiotics, topical antiseptics exhibit a wider range of activity and reduced systemic toxicity and resistance. In order to address this issue, we developed an antiseptic Chitosan-Poly (hexamethylene) Biguanide (CS-PHMB) hydrogel. The prepared hydrogel was characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). SEM images showed the smooth morphology and characteristic FTIR peaks of PHMB and confirmed the incorporation of the antiseptic into the chitosan (CS) hydrogel. A Water Vapor Permeation Rate study confirms the moisture retention ability of the CS-PHMB hydrogel. Rheological studies proved the gel strength and temperature stability. The prepared hydrogel inhibited the growth of S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, E. coli, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and K. pneumoniae, which confirms its antibacterial properties. It also inhibited biofilm formation for S. aureus and E. coli. CS-PHMB hydrogel is also found to be hemo- and cytocompatible in nature. Thus, the developed CS-PHMB hydrogel is a very potent candidate to be used for treating infectious topical wounds with low systemic toxicity.
RESUMEN
The drug resistance is higher among Gram-negative bacteria and demands the usage of strong antibiotics which can in turn result in systemic toxicity. In the treatment of the chronic wounds harboring pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria, the demand for an antimicrobial product that can be topically administered has been on the rise. In an effort to address the above issue, we have developed Colistimethate sodium (a high-end antibiotic) loaded chitosan hydrogel and characterized. The prepared hydrogel is very stable and observed to be bio- and hemo-compatible in nature. The antibacterial activity of the prepared hydrogel was studied against both ATCC (American Type Culture Collection) strains and clinical isolates of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The CMS incorporated hydrogel is also capable of inhibiting the biofilm formation. The developed hydrogel can be potentially being used for the treatment of Gram-negative bacterial infected wounds.