A Composite Hydrogel Based on Pectin/Cellulose via Chemical Cross-Linking for Hemorrhage

Hydrogel-based material have been demonstrated promising potential for hemostasis. Herein, we prepared a composite hydrogel (CH-P 40%) by combining pectin and cellulose in ionic liquid. The superficial morphology of the CH-P 40% was explored by SEM; the internal chemical bonds, crystal form and thermal stability were determined via FTIR, XRD and thermogravimetric analysis, respectively. The biocompatibilities of the CH-P 40% hydrogel was evaluated by MTT, flow cytometry, and histological observation with H&E staining. Furthermore, the hemostatic effect was evaluated via the blood clotting index and mouse liver hemostatic model. The results showed that the CH-P 40% hydrogel exhibited a dense network structure and retained its chemical bonds, including the OH, CH, C=O, -CH2, CO, C1-H, and β-glycosidic bonds. Simultaneously, the hydrogel retained the Cellulose I and II crystal structure and favorable thermal stability. Moreover, the proliferation rates of CH-P 40%-treated cells increased (P > 0.05), and there were no pathological lesions in the mouse organs, which suggests favorable biocompatibility. The results showed less bleeding in the hydrogel-treated liver wound within 3 min. Overall, the pectin-cellulose hydrogel is stable and possesses favorable biocompatibility and hemostatic ability, further highlighting that the composite hydrogel has the potential to be rapid hemostatic biomedical material.