Antibiotic-Loaded Psyllium Husk Hemicellulose and Gelatin-Based Polymeric Films for Wound Dressing Application.

Naveed Ahmad,Nabil K Alruwaili,Omar Awad Alsaidan,Fadhel Ahmed Alomar,Mohammed H Elkomy,Muhammad Masood Ahmad,Mohammed Elmowafy,Ziyad Awadh Alrowaili,Ameeduzzafar Zafar,Sultan Akhtar,Nabil A Alhakamy

doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics13020236

Abstract

Wound infections are one of the major reasons for the delay in the healing of chronic wounds and can be overcome by developing effective wound dressings capable of absorbing exudate, providing local antibiotic release, and improving patient comfort. Arabinoxylan (AX) is a major hemicellulose present in psyllium seed husk (PSH) and exhibits promising characteristics for developing film dressings. Herein, AX-gelatin (GL) films were prepared by blending AX, gelatin (GL), glycerol, and gentamicin (antibiotic). Initially, the optimal quantities of AX, GL, and glycerol for preparing transparent, bubble-free, smooth, and foldable AX-GL films were found. Physiochemical, thermal, morphological, drug release, and antibacterial characteristics of the AX-GL films were evaluated to investigate their suitability as wound dressings. The findings suggested that the mechanical, water vapor transmission, morphological, and expansion characteristics of the optimized AX-GL films were within the required range for wound dressing. The results of Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) analyses suggested chemical compatibility among the ingredients of the films. In in vitro drug release and antibacterial activity experiments, gentamicin (GM)-loaded AX-GL films released approximately 89% of the GM in 24 h and exhibited better antibacterial activity than standard GM solution. These results suggest that AX-GL films could serve as a promising dressing to protect against wound infections.

Highlights

The complex physiological process of wound healing, which includes highly coordinated hemostasis, inflammatory, proliferation, and maturation phases, is further complicated by wound infection, chronic diseases, and poor care and patient lifestyle [1,2,3]
Arabinose and xylose are two major monosaccharides present in psyllium seed husk (PSH) hemicellulose, while rhamnose, galactose, and uronic acids are found in minor quantities, as described by Shagir et al [29]
AX was extracted from PSH by a water extraction method, and the yield value of AX was 23.5% of dry PSH

Summary

Introduction

The complex physiological process of wound healing, which includes highly coordinated hemostasis, inflammatory, proliferation, and maturation phases, is further complicated by wound infection, chronic diseases (diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular complications), and poor care and patient lifestyle (smoking, drinking alcohol) [1,2,3]. Pharmaceutics 2021, 13, 236 remains a key challenge for medical professionals [4]. Either any of the individual phases of the wound healing process or the whole healing process is disturbed. The healing mostly remains in the second (inflammatory) phase owing to infections or pathological disorders and complete wound healing may take months [1,2]. There is a need to overcome wound infections to improve the management of chronic wounds

Methods

Results

Conclusion