Sequential delivery of chlorhexidine acetate and bFGF from PLGA-glycol chitosan core-shell microspheres

Wound treatment should meet the challenge both of preventing infection and promoting wound healing. To design a sequential delivery system for wound healing, PLGA-glycol chitosan (GC) core-shell microspheres containing chlorhexidine acetate (CHA) at the GC shell and bFGF in the core of PLGA microspheres were fabricated using emulsion-solvent evaporation method. SEM showed that the microspheres were all spherical in shape with a smooth surface. The average size of PLGA-GC microspheres increased due to the GC coating on the surface. The results of release profiles and fluorescence images indicated that PLGA-GC microspheres had an ability to deliver drugs in sequence. The CHA was rapidly released, whereas the proteins presented a sustained release. The release behavior could be modulated by changing the GC amount. Antibacterial assay and cell proliferation tests suggested that the released CHA and bFGF retained their antimicrobial activity and bioactivity during preparation. The microspheres exhibited non-cytotoxicity against 3T3 cells and had a good biocompatibility. These results demonstrated that PLGA-GC core-shell microspheres could be a promising controlled release system of delivering drugs and proteins in sequence for wound healing.