Abstract
The enzymatic oxidation of glucose to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) provides honey with antimicrobial efficacy. This mechanism offers an alternative to traditional antibiotics; however, topical use of honey is limited due to its adherent and highly viscous properties. This study aims to overcome these issues by engineering a powder-based system that eases delivery and offers in situ activation of ROS. Starch based drying agents were utilised to enable freeze drying of a medical honey, with methylated-β-cyclodextrin (MCD) enabling the highest active incorporation (70%) while still producing a free-flowing powder. Addition of a superabsorbent, sodium polyacrylate (≤40%) was shown to facilitate in situ gelation of the powder, with an absorption capacity of up to 120.7±4.5mLg-1. Promisingly efficacy of the optimised superabsorbent powder was demonstrated in vitro against several clinically relevant Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). Alongside this no adverse effects were observed against human dermal fibroblasts. Application of the superabsorbent powder in an ex-vivo porcine wound model revealed capability to form a protective hydrogel barrier in less than 1min. Overall, this novel ROS producing superabsorbent powder has potential to tackle topical infections without using traditional antibiotics.
Published Version
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