Abstract

Chronic wounds (CW) have numerous entry ways for pathogen invasion and prosperity, damaging host tissue and hindering tissue remodeling. Essential oils exert quick and efficient antimicrobial (AM) action, unlikely to induce bacterial resistance. Cajeput oil (CJO) has strong AM properties, namely against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Chitosan (CS) is a natural and biodegradable cationic polysaccharide, also widely known for its AM features. CS and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) films were prepared (ratio 30/70; 9 wt%) by solvent casting and phase inversion method. Films’ thermal stability and chemical composition data reinforce polymer blending. Films were supplemented with 1 and 10 wt% of CJO in relation to total polymeric mass. Loaded films were 23 and 57% thicker, respectively, than the unloaded films. Degree of swelling and porosity also increased, particularly with 10 wt% CJO. AM testing revealed that CS films alone were effective against both bacteria, eradicating all P. aeruginosa within the hour (*** p < 0.001). Still, loaded CS/PVA films showed improved AM traits, being significantly more efficient than unloaded films right after 2 h of contact. This study is the first proof of concept that CJO can be dispersed into CS/PVA films and show bactericidal effects, particularly against P. aeruginosa, this way opening new avenues for CW therapeutics.

Highlights

  • Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a disabling and incurable chronic metabolic and degenerative disorder, highly prevalent in Portugal and worldwide, severely affecting patient’s quality of life and demanding high healthcare costs. 71% of all global deaths are due to noncommunicable diseases (NCD), with DM having a substantial contribution to that number [1]

  • We propose to engineer a 3D film via solvent casting and phase-inversion from CS and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) blends, polymers widely combined as templates for AM action [9,10,11], and loaded with the antibacterial cajeput (CJO) Essential oils (EOs) while aiming at an improved control of infections governed by Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa

  • CS/PVA blended films were produced via solvent casting-phase inversion method, following adaptation to what had been previously optimized by the team [7]

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Summary

Introduction

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a disabling and incurable chronic metabolic and degenerative disorder, highly prevalent in Portugal and worldwide, severely affecting patient’s quality of life and demanding high healthcare costs. 71% of all global deaths are due to noncommunicable diseases (NCD), with DM having a substantial contribution to that number [1]. CS’s molecular weight (Mw) and the degree of acetylation (DA) are its main structural parameters influencing the overall behavior of the polymer as a biomaterial, which include mucoadhesive, chemoattractive, analgesic, hemostatic, antibacterial and antifungal action (among others) [3]. It is typically combined with other compounds for improved mechanical strength and increased applicability [3,5]. EO’s composition-including the hydrophobic thymol, carvacrol and eugenol (among others)-exhibit a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity against bacteria, fungi, and viruses [8] Still, their cytotoxicity at increased concentrations, their low resistance to degradation by external factors (e.g., temperature, light, moisture), and their volatility in their free, liquid form hinder their expanded use

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