RESUMEN
In this work, a coating of chitosan onto alginate hydrogels was realized using the water-soluble hydrochloride form of chitosan (CH-Cl), with the dual purpose of imparting antibacterial activity and delaying the release of hydrophilic molecules from the alginate matrix. Alginate hydrogels with different calcium contents were prepared by the internal setting method and coated by immersion in a CH-Cl solution. Structural analysis by cryo-scanning electron microscopy was carried out to highlight morphological alterations due to the coating layer. Tests in vitro with human mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) were assessed to check the absence of toxicity of CH-Cl. Swelling, stability in physiological solution and release characteristics using rhodamine B as the hydrophilic model drug were compared to those of relative uncoated hydrogels. Finally, antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli was tested. Results show that alginate hydrogels coated with chitosan hydrochloride described here can be proposed as a novel medicated dressing by associating intrinsic antimicrobial activity with improved sustained release characteristics.
Asunto(s)
Alginatos/química , Alginatos/farmacología , Quitosano/química , Hidrogeles/química , Hidrogeles/farmacología , Cicatrización de Heridas/efectos de los fármacos , Heridas y Lesiones/tratamiento farmacológico , Antibacterianos/química , Antibacterianos/farmacología , Vendajes , Células Cultivadas , Escherichia coli/efectos de los fármacos , Ácido Glucurónico/química , Ácido Glucurónico/farmacología , Ácidos Hexurónicos/química , Ácidos Hexurónicos/farmacología , Humanos , Células Madre Mesenquimatosas/efectos de los fármacosRESUMEN
In this paper, a controlled gelation of alginate was performed for the first time using ZnCO3 and GDL. Uniform and transparent gels were obtained and investigated as potential wound dressings. Homogeneity, water content, swelling capability, water evaporation rate, stability in normal saline solution, mechanical properties and antibacterial activity were assessed as a function of zinc concentration. Gelation rate increased at increasing zinc content, while a decrease in water uptake and an improvement of stability were found. Release of zinc in physiological environments showed that concentration of zinc released in solution lies below the cytotoxicity level. Hydrogels showed antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli. The hydrogel with highest zinc content was stabilized with calcium by immersion in a calcium chloride solution. The resulting hydrogel preserved homogeneity and antibacterial activity. Furthermore, it showed even an improvement of stability and mechanical properties, which makes it suitable as long-lasting wound dressing.
Asunto(s)
Alginatos/química , Antibacterianos/síntesis química , Hidrogeles/síntesis química , Zinc/química , Antibacterianos/química , Antibacterianos/farmacología , Escherichia coli/efectos de los fármacos , Hidrogeles/química , Hidrogeles/farmacología , PolimerizacionRESUMEN
In this paper, physico-chemical, mechanical and antimicrobial properties of hydrogels based on alginate/N-succinylchitosan blends crosslinked by calcium or zinc ions containing cellulose microfibers were investigated and discussed. With respect to plain alginate hydrogels, the addition of N-succinylchitosan significantly improved properties such as swelling degree and stability in saline solution. The water vapour transmission rate confirmed that all the hydrogels were able to assure a moist wound environment. Morphological analysis showed a good embedding of fibres within the zinc crosslinked hydrogels. In addition, zinc-crosslinked hydrogels evidenced antimicrobial activity against two common skin pathogenic bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Cytotoxicity assays proved that the amount of zinc released is slightly over the toxic level. Overall, the characteristics of the zinc-crosslinked hydrogels showed their potential interest as materials for wound dressing.