Injectable chitosan-nano bioglass composite hemostatic hydrogel for effective bleeding control

Effective bleeding control is a major concern in trauma and major surgeries. Chitosan (Ch) as hemostatic agent has been widely used and when applied at the site of injury it acts by aggregating blood cells and forming a plug. Our prime interest is to improve the blood clotting property of Ch hydrogel. Incorporation of nanobioglass (nBG) with silica (activate coagulation factor XII), calcium (activate intrinsic pathway) and phosphate (initiates extrinsic pathway) ions into Ch hydrogel (protonated NH₂ group) would act at the same time and bring about rapid blood clot formation. Sol-gel method was followed to synthesize nBG particles and its particle size was found to be 14 ± 3 nm. 2%Ch-5%nBG hydrogel was then prepared and studied using SEM and FTIR. The prepared hydrogel was injecable and was also cytocompatible with HUVEC. In in vitro blood clotting study and in vivo major organ injury model, 2%Ch-5%nBG hydrogel formed rapid blood clot than 2%Ch hydrogel. Hence, 2%Ch-5%nBG hydrogel might have great potential to achieve effective bleeding control during critical situations.