Abstract
Recent advances in tissue engineering have potential for the development of improved substitutes for damaged skin tissues. Vitamin C and lactic acid are well-known wound healing accelerators while chitosan is an important biomaterial having wound healing capabilities. However, addition of vitamin C induces fragility to the chitosan–lactic acid membranes. Therefore, the current study was designed to fabricate an intact chitosan–vitamin C–lactic acid composite membrane that may synergize the critical properties of every individual component for potential skin tissue engineering. For this purpose, different concentrations of glycerol and polyethylene glycol (PEG) were added to strengthen the chitosan–vitamin C–lactic acid membranes. The prepared membranes were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X–ray diffraction, and field emission scanning electron microscopy. Moreover, the biocompatibility of the prepared membranes was evaluated with fibroblast NIH 3T3 cells. The results showed that addition of glycerol and PEG has improved the strength of chitosan–vitamin C–lactic acid composite membrane. Characterization studies revealed the successful synthesis of chitosan–vitamin C–lactic acid composite membrane. Moreover, the prepared membranes showed excellent biocompatibility with NIH 3T3 cells. However, it is important to note that cells showed more attachment and spreading on porous chitosan composites membranes as compared to nonporous membranes. This study provided a base for the development of an intact chitosan–vitamin C–lactic acid composite membrane for skin tissue engineering. However, further preclinical and clinical studies are required for its practical applications in skin tissue engineering.
Highlights
In recent past, tissue engineering emerges as an alternative to the conventional treatment of skin burns, which have a lot of associated problems and limited efficacy
The prepared membranes showed excellent biocompatibility with fibroblast cells. These results suggested that intact chitosan–vitamin C–lactic acid composite membranes can be prepared with the addition of glycerol and polyethylene glycol (PEG) which could be used for skin tissue engineering
Vitamin C is a wound healing accelerator as it plays a vital role in proline and lysine hydroxylation which results in collagen synthesis and is involved in wound healing [6]
Summary
Tissue engineering emerges as an alternative to the conventional treatment of skin burns, which have a lot of associated problems and limited efficacy. Chitosan is the second most abundant natural polymer after cellulose It possesses physical properties like high surface area, tensile strength, porous structure, and conductivity. It can be designed into various forms such as membranes, films, fibres, sponges, beads, powder, gel, and International Journal of Polymer Science solutions. Chitosan has a wide range of bioactivities and biocompatibility along with nontoxic, biodegradable, and nonallergic nature Due to these properties, chitosan and its derivatives find many potential applications in the biomedical field. Chitosan–based biomaterials are used in tissue engineering as they offer structural and mechanical properties to the damaged tissue It is used as an excipient for the delivery of active biomolecules or ingredients, while chitosan microspheres are used for the control release of drug. It finds applications in the water purification and food industry [3]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
