Autoclavable physically-crosslinked chitosan cryogel as a wound dressing

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Wound Healing Research
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Moist wound healing is faster than dry healing.
• Hydrogel dressings support moist wound healing.
• Chitosan possesses beneficial biological properties for wound repair.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of autoclave sterilization on chitosan-gluconic acid (CG) cryogel characteristics.
• To determine the optimal gluconic acid content for autoclaving CG cryogels.
• To assess the biological properties and wound healing efficacy of autoclaved CG cryogels.

Main Methods:

• Preparation of physically-crosslinked chitosan-gluconic acid (CG) cryogels via freeze-thawing.
• Autoclave sterilization of CG cryogels at 121°C for 20 minutes.
• Assessment of cryogel characteristics, enzymatic degradation, hemostatic activity, and full-thickness skin wound repair efficacy.

Main Results:

• An optimal gluconic acid content of 11 was identified for autoclaving CG cryogels.
• Autoclave sterilization increased the crosslinking level and resistance to enzymatic degradation.
• Autoclaved CG cryogels maintained hemostatic activity and effectively repaired skin wounds.

Conclusions:

• Autoclavable CG cryogels demonstrate enhanced stability and retain crucial biological properties.
• Optimized CG cryogels show significant potential as practical, sterilizable wound dressings.
• This study validates the use of autoclave sterilization for CG cryogel wound dressings.