RESUMEN
This study investigates the influence of Aloe vera on water absorption and the in vitro degradation rate of Aloe vera-Ca-alginate hydrogel films, for wound healing and drug delivery applications. The influence of A. vera content (5%, 15% and 25%, v/v) on water absorption was evaluated by the incubation of the films into a 0.1 M HCl solution (pH 1.0), acetate buffer (pH 5.5) and simulated body fluid solution (pH 7.4) during 24h. Results show that the water absorption is significantly higher for films containing high A. vera contents (15% and 25%), while no significant differences are observed between the alginate neat film and the film with 5% of A. vera. The in vitro enzymatic degradation tests indicate that an increase in the A. vera content significantly enhances the degradation rate of the films. Control films, incubated in a simulated body fluid solution without enzymes, are resistant to the hydrolytic degradation, exhibiting reduced weight loss and maintaining its structural integrity. Results also show that the water absorption and the in vitro degradation rate of the films can be tailored by changing the A. vera content.
Asunto(s)
Alginatos/química , Alginatos/metabolismo , Aloe/química , Hidrogeles/química , Polisacárido Liasas/metabolismo , Agua/química , Absorción , Alginatos/farmacología , Portadores de Fármacos/química , Portadores de Fármacos/metabolismo , Portadores de Fármacos/farmacología , Flavobacterium/enzimología , Ácido Glucurónico/química , Ácido Glucurónico/metabolismo , Ácido Glucurónico/farmacología , Ácidos Hexurónicos/química , Ácidos Hexurónicos/metabolismo , Ácidos Hexurónicos/farmacología , Fenómenos Mecánicos , Peso Molecular , Cicatrización de Heridas/efectos de los fármacosRESUMEN
Alginate and Aloe vera are natural materials widely investigated and used in the biomedical field. In this research work, thin hydrogel films composed by alginate and Aloe vera gel in different proportions (95:5, 85:15 and 75:25, v/v) were prepared and characterized. The films were evaluated regarding the light transmission behavior, contact angle measurements, and chemical, thermal and mechanical properties. These thin hydrogel films, prepared by crosslinking reaction using 5% calcium chloride solution, were also investigated relatively to their water solubility and swelling behavior. Results showed that Aloe vera improved the transparency of the films, as well their thermal stability. The developed films present adequate mechanical properties for skin applications, while the solubility studies demonstrated the insolubility of the films after 24h of immersion in distilled water. The water absorption and swelling behavior of these films were greatly improved by the increase in Aloe vera proportion.