Study of the keratin-based therapeutic dermal patches for the delivery of bioactive molecules for wound treatment

In the present study, dressing materials were fabricated in the form of dermal patches. The keratin based biocompatible materials, namely Keratin/Alginate, Keratin/Agar, and Keratin/Gellan were developed as therapeutic dermal patches. The patches were coated with green synthesized silver nanoparticles to prevent the microbial infection and were found to be antimicrobial against pathogens. Papain was used in the patches to acquire the enzymatic cell debridement and its activity was measured by reduction rate of benzoyl-l-arginine ethyl ester. Glucose oxidase was loaded into the patches and examined to control the glycemic level in vitro for its topical application. For better wound healing, the patches were loaded with Trolox® to incorporate antioxidant properties. The patches were found mechanically efficient to sustain the material during application. The porosity and water absorption capacity of the dermal patches were investigated to ensure the maintenance of the optimum environment essential for wound treatment. To achieve the regeneration of the skin layer during wound healing, the fibroblast growth factor was loaded in the patches and it was observed that 77.77-88.89% of growth factor were released after three days of study. Thus, it can be concluded that all the three keratin based patches are suitable for preparation of dressing as they have been acquired with essential bioactivities for wound healing.