Preparation, characterization, and drug release study of ibuprofen-loaded poly (vinyl alcohol)/poly (vinyl pyrrolidone) bilayer antibacterial membrane

Abstract

Controlling wound pain, absorption of wound exudate, and minimizing the frequency of changing the dressing are necessary parameters to facilitate wound-healing process. Hence, stable hydrophilic hydrogels applied in the form of film with the capability of wound exudate absorption and anti-inflammatory drug release may be used as an ideal wound dressing. Furthermore, physically crosslinked hydrogels are preferred over chemical ones because of being free from remaining harmful chemicals and adverse effects on the entrapped drugs. Thus, in this study, we developed an antibacterial bilayer membrane composed of a combination of polyvinyl alcohol/polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVA/PVP) with the ability to release Ibuprofen (IBP). First, 1% IBP was incorporated in different ratios of PVA/PVP solution (90:10, 80:20, and 70:30); then, the hydrogels were crosslinked through repetitive freeze-thawing cycles followed by lyophilization, as the bottom layer. Second, the top layer was made in the same way but without the drug. Morphology, mechanical properties, swelling ratio, degradation rate, water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), and in vitro drug release of bilayer membranes were evaluated, then the content of PVP was optimized. The results indicated that the sample with the PVA/PVP ratio of 80:20 encompassed large and interconnected pores and also a proper swelling degree (500% in 48 h), weight loss (60% during 12 days) and WVTR (2721.1 ± 93.3 g/m2); thus, it is considered as the optimized membrane. MTT and antibacterial assays also showed acceptable viability and bactericidal activity for the membranes containing IBP. In conclusion, the prepared bilayer membrane can absorb wound exudate within the dressing matrix, release IBP locally, and keep its stability at the wound site. The bilayer membrane also exhibited an excellent antibacterial feature for accelerating the wound-healing process.