Barbaloin loaded chitosan-gum kondagogu polyelectrolyte complex based biocomposites film for enhanced antibacterial, antioxidant and wound healing activity

Abstract

This study developed an advanced biocomposites film by combining chitosan (CS) with gum kondagogu (GKG) to form a polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) and incorporating zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NP) and barbaloin (BB) to boost wound healing. In brief, the PEC formed between CS and GKG was confirmed through FTIR analysis. The integration of BB into the PEC polymeric matrix resulted in a uniform distribution of BB and loss of crystallinity. As well, the optimized CS/GKG/BB-3 biocomposite film displayed good mechanical strength (8.9 ± 0.30 MPa), high water absorption (451.1 ± 6.02 %), and good water retention potential. The optimized biocomposite film exhibited notable antioxidant properties and effective antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Moreover, in vivo studies demonstrated that this biocomposite film facilitated rapid and complete re-epithelialization, enhancing tissue regeneration with minimal scarring, outperforming other biocomposite film formulations. Here, the controlled degradation profile and excellent moisture retention of the CS/GKG/BB-3 biocomposite film created an ideal environment for wound healing. In conclusion, the prepared CS/GKG/BB-3 biocomposite film offers the potential as a superior alternative to traditional wound dressings, emphasizing the synergistic benefits of CS, GKG, ZnO NP, and BB in developing advanced biomaterials for effective wound care and tissue repair.