Casein micelles embedded composite organohydrogel as potential wound dressing

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Wound Healing Technologies

Background:

• Hydrogels require excellent mechanical and adhesive properties, environmental suitability, and biocompatibility for clinical wound dressing applications.
• Casein micelles (CEs) offer adhesion and drug loading capabilities, while polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) provides a robust network.
• A glycerol-water (GW) solvent system can enhance hydrogel stability and temperature tolerance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and synthesize a novel casein micelles (CEs)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) organohydrogel with enhanced properties for wound dressing applications.
• To investigate the mechanical properties, adhesive abilities, and environmental suitability of the developed organohydrogel.
• To evaluate the drug loading capacity, antibacterial efficacy, and biocompatibility of the CEs/PVA GW gel.

Main Methods:

• A simple one-pot method was employed to synthesize the CEs/PVA GW organohydrogel.
• The 'load sharing' effect between CEs and PVA networks via hydrogen bonds was utilized to enhance mechanical properties and adhesion.
• The organohydrogel was loaded with allicin as a model antibacterial drug to assess its antimicrobial activity and duration.

Main Results:

• The CEs/PVA GW organohydrogel exhibited excellent adhesive properties and enhanced mechanical strength due to the integration of CEs into the PVA network.
• The unique GW solvent system provided long-lasting moisture retention and tolerance to extreme temperatures (-20°C to 60°C).
• The drug-loaded organohydrogel demonstrated sustained antibacterial properties (>90% efficacy for >100 hours) and prominent biocompatibility, supporting fibroblast cell proliferation and migration.

Conclusions:

• The developed CEs/PVA GW organohydrogel presents a promising new strategy for wound dressing applications.
• The material effectively prevents bacterial infection, accelerates tissue proliferation, and promotes wound healing.
• Its enhanced mechanical properties, adhesion, moisture retention, and antibacterial activity make it a strong candidate for clinical use.