Abstract
We report on the successful preparation of wet dressings hydrogels based on Chitosan-Poly(N-Vinyl-Pyrrolidone)-Poly(ethylene glycol)-Poly(acrylic acid) and Poly(ethylene oxide) by e-beam cross-linking in weakly acidic media, to be used for rapid healing and pain release of infected skin wounds. The structure and compositions of hydrogels investigated according to sol-gel and swelling studies, network parameters, as well as FTIR and XPS analyses showed the efficient interaction of the hydrogel components upon irradiation, maintaining the bonding environment while the cross-linking degree increasing with the irradiation dose and the formation of a structure with the mesh size in the range 11–67 nm. Hydrogels with gel fraction above 85% and the best swelling properties in different pH solutions were obtained for hydrogels produced with 15 kGy. The hydrogels are stable in the simulated physiological condition of an infected wound and show appropriate moisture retention capability and the water vapor transmission rate up to 272.67 g m−2 day−1, to ensure fast healing. The hydrogels proved to have a significant loading capacity of ibuprofen (IBU), being able to incorporate a therapeutic dose for the treatment of severe pains. Simultaneously, IBU was released up to 25% in the first 2h, having a release maximum after 8 h.
Highlights
A wound is defined as a fault or a break of the skin caused by physical, chemical, and thermal injury [1]
The hydrogel properties were evaluated following sol-gel analysis, swelling studies, moisture retention capability, water vapor transmission rate, and network parameters, as well as FTIR and X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) analyses showed the efficient interaction of the hydrogel components upon irradiation
The results indicate, once again, following specific hydrogel investigations revealed in paragraph 2.1 and FTIR analysis, that the chemical structure of the G4 hydrogel based on CS-Poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP)-poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) is significantly degraded under irradiation dose of 25 kGy
Summary
A wound is defined as a fault or a break of the skin caused by physical, chemical, and thermal injury [1]. Subsequent wound infections and inflammation caused by various bacterial strains often lead to challenging complications for both personal and public health during wound care management [2]. The dressing is an important component contributing to wound healing in the shortest possible time and to protection against bacterial infection, with minimal pain and discomfort to the patients, leading to tissue repair and regeneration [3,4]. Hydrogels are 3D cross-linked networks having high water retention capacity obtained through various techniques, including radiation cross-linking [6,7], freeze-thawing cycles [8,9], and chemical synthesis [10]
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