Naturally-derived microparticles for hemostatic applications

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe research area of hemostatic biomaterials is an emerging field attracted lots of interests recently due to the soaring number of traumas. One of the key unmet needs in this area is non-toxic, non-irritating, cost-effective, hemostatic materials which can shorten blood clotting time effectively. Here we used naturally derived starch to prepare two types of new hemostatic microparticles, swellable and microporous starch particles. The hemostatic particles were characterized by optical and scanning electron microscopy and evaluated for their swelling and hemostatic properties. The results of in vitro blood test demonstrated a strong relationship between swelling power and blood clotting index (BCI). Also, the swellable microparticles had dominant ability of water/blood absorption over the microporous particles, accelerating the aggregation of red blood cells, thrombin, platelets and fibrin and other active components on the particle surface and thus achieving better hemostatic effect.