Design of a multifunctional carrageenan-tannic acid wound dressing co-loaded with simvastatin and geranium oil

Abstract

In the treatment of wounds, foremost intention is to procure expeditious healing of the skin by promoting angiogenesis and downregulating inflammation, whereas providing protection against microbial attacks and oxidative damage at the same time. In this study, composite functional wound dressing (CS/G/TA) based on κ-carrageenan (κ-CRG) and tannic acid (TA) were prepared via ionic gelation with the aid of aluminum chloride and were co-encapsulated with simvastatin (SIM) and Geranium oil (GO). Prepared films possessed excellent mechanical strength, high swelling rate, excellent water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), water solubility, and release kinetics. The formulations were assessed by Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). CS/G/TA exhibited superior antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and broader anti-bacterial activity against common dweller of wounds (gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria). In-ova angiogenesis model confirmed improved angiogenesis in the presence of SIM. The CS/G/TA hydrogel film showed excellent wound healing effect through improved angiogenesis, epidermal regeneration, and down regulation in the expression of inflammatory markers. In conclusion, multifaceted formulation was fabricated that can plausibly be employed in treating complex wounds in the wake of its potential wound healing properties.