Reduced Glutathione Antioxidant Stability in Polymer Solutions Toward Wound Bioactive Dressing Application

Abstract

Reduced glutathione (GSH) is incorporated in polymeric wound dressings to prevent oxidative stress-induced cellular damage and the development of chronic wounds. The present study investigates the influence of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyethylene oxide (PEO), and PVA/PEO blend polymeric solutions on the stability of GSH during the preparations or storage. The stability was studied in three concentrations which were 3%, 5% and 8%, after sometimes between 0 to 7 days. The level of GSH achieved the highest electron donor activity at day 7 in 8% PVA/PEO (95.42%) and 8% PVA (94.27%) solutions, whereas GSH activity decreased when incorporated with PEO solutions. Such a decrease in the GSH activity due to PEO being less water-resistant and hydrolytic degradation susceptibility could expose the GSH to an aqueous environment and lead to the loss of GSH activity. In conclusion, a higher concentration of polymer and less-water resistant polymers can shield the GSH from an aqueous environment and maintain its stability in the polymer solutions used in wound dressing applications.