Radiation formation of functionalized polysaccharide-protein based skin mimicking semi- inter penetrating network for...

Radiation treatment of chitosan, gelatin, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyacrylamide [poly(AAm)] will form the sterile hydrogel wound dressings which can mimic the artificial skin function in wound therapy. These polymers have been characterized by cryo-scanning electron micrographs (cryo-SEMs), atomic force microscopy (AFM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and ¹³C solid state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and swelling studies. Some important properties of hydrogel wound dressings like drug delivery, blood compatibility, wound fluid absorption, antioxidant activity, oxygen permeability, water vapour permeability, microbial penetration, mucoadhesion and mechanical properties have also been determined. The release profile of moxifloxacin from the polyacrylamide functionalized chitosan-gelatin matrix followed Fickian diffusion mechanism and release profile best fitted in Korsmeyer-Peppas kinetic model. The hydrogel films are permeable to O₂ and H₂O vapour and impermeable to microbes in open environment and showed high wound absorption, good mucoadhesion and antioxidant activity. Beside release of antibiotic, the inherent wound healing potential of chitosan, adhesion capacity of gelatin, film forming ability of PVA and wound fluid absorption of poly(AAm), may enhance wound healing potential of these hydrogel wound dressings.