Evaluation of protein/polysaccharide blend biopolymeric material for fabrication of drug eluting wound dressing

Abstract

Silk fibroin protein and polysaccharide xanthan was mixed in three ratios, i.e., 80:20 (SFX82), 60:40 (SFX64) and 50:50 (SFX55) to fabricate blended dressing and functionalised with antibiotic amoxicillin. The dressings exhibited sustained release of incorporated antibiotics for prolonged period which helped in maintaining therapeutic concentrations of drug for quick wound recovery. The dressings showed biphasic release profile, i.e., burst followed by sustained release. SFX64 showed highest cumulative drug release among all three dressing. Further, SFX64 exhibited smoother surface leading to less bacterial adhesion. Changes in wound size and histological assessments of wound tissues over time confirmed that amoxicillin loaded dressings showed faster healing, higher wound closure rate, regular and thicker formation of epidermis. SFX64 dressing was the best performer with pronounced sustained delivery of antibiotic at therapeutic concentration, smoother surface, and maximum wound recovery of 99.12 ± 0.33%.