DEXTRAN-CHITOSAN-nTIO2 TAILORED HYDROGELS (DEXCH-nTIO2-HGS) AS VERSATILE TOOL IN EXPLORING THE POTENTIAL OF KAEMPFEROL FOR EFFECTIVE DIABETIC WOUND HEALING

Abstract

Grafts made from synthetic polymers perform poorly in wound healing applications. In these applications, dextranchitosan based materials can be produced and fabricated to present a novel scaffold for wound healing engineering. The aim of this study was to evaluate in-vitro the mechanical properties of a novel dextran-chitosan based hydrogel formulation to examine its potential for this scaffold. Kaempferol (KMF) (obtained from leaves of Ipomea carnea Jacq) loaded hydrogel (HGs) was prepared using dextran-chitosan (Dex-CH) and PEG as a cross linking agent with nano titanium dioxide (nTiO2). Subsequently Dex and CH solution were blended together to form a homogeneous DexCH binary blend mixture with the PEG as crosslinker and characterized for various paramters like AFM (Atomic Force Microscopy), mechanical (tensile) strength of hydrogel, swelling property, entrapment efficiency and drug release. The role of hydrogel was assessed by wound healing activity tested beside wound contraction, collagen content, dried granuloma weights and antioxidant property. Percent entrapment efficiency of optimized hydrogel found to be 89.36 ± 1.19%. KMF loaded DexCH- nTiO2-HGs were able to release 95.36%, KMF in 24 hrs. The level of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase were found increased significantly in granuloma tissue of KMF treated group. The significant wound healing effect in normal wound tissues as well as diabetic with higher antioxidant activity founded in KMF-DexCH-nTiO2-HGs. Prepared hydrogel formulations (KMF loaded DexCH- nTiO2-HGs) were proved to be highly suitable on grounds of moist nature, biocompatibility, biodegradability and antioxidant effectiveness.