Abstract
Research was carried out to develop a wound dressing hydrogel using polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), kappa carrageenan and polyethylene glycol (PEG) by Co60 gamma irradiation. The gel has a soothing effect and it is not necessary to change the dressing too often. This gel is suitable for the tropical conditions of Sri Lanka and has a comparatively long shelf-life. The cost is affordable. Aqueous solutions of PVP & kappa-carrageenan were mixed with low molecular weight PEG to form the pseudogel which was then subjected to 25kGy irradiation. Absorption behaviour in distilled water, 9% saline water and pseudoextracellular fluid, tensile properties, bio-adhesion onto human skin and sterility/shelf-life were studied in comparison with commercial hydrogels. The chemical and physical behaviour of the PVP/carrageenan/PEG hydrogel were further studied by analyzing FTIR spectra and SEM images. The observations made in the study concluded that the properties of the developed hydrogel are comparable to that of the commercial hydrogels, to the level required to apply as a wound dressing. The results obtained from testing and analysis of the hydrogel further confirm that the PVP/carrageenan/PEG hydrogel has been developed to the point where it is ready to proceed to clinical trials. Keywords: Gamma irradiation, hydrogel, kappa-carrageenan, polyethyleneglycol (PEG), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), wound dressing. Doi: 10.4038/jnsfsr.v39i1.2920 J.Natn.Sci.Foundation Sri Lanka 2011 39 (1): 25-33
Highlights
Wound healing is a dynamic process and the performance of a wound dressing can influence the progress of healing
The results obtained from testing and analysis of the hydrogel further confirm that the PVP/carrageenan/polyethylene glycol (PEG) hydrogel has been developed to the point where it is ready to proceed to clinical trials
On the pseudoextracellular fluid (PECF) solution maximum swelling was achieved for both hydrogels in a short period of immerse time (4–6 hours) and the maximum observed were 49% and 63% for PVP/Carr/PEG gel and commercial gel respectively (Figure 3)
Summary
Wound healing is a dynamic process and the performance of a wound dressing can influence the progress of healing. An antimicrobial barrier dressing, is used by local doctors for partial and deep burns. This dressing consists of a silver nanocrystalline mesh and promotes moist wound healing. Among the many categories of advanced wound dressing products available today, hydrogels incorporating natural polysaccharides are popular because they are effective, comfortable, easy to use and cost effective. With proper use, these agents provide control of wound surface hydration and absorb the excess exudate and often provide moisture facilitating moist wound healing (Eisenbud et al, 2003)
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