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Preparation of Chitosan-based Injectable Hydrogels and Its Application in 3D Cell Culture
Published on: September 29, 2017
Development of responsive chitosan-based hydrogels for the treatment of pathogen-induced skin infections
Junjie Wang1, Yu Yang2, Lijie Huang1
1College of Chemistry & Pharmacy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China.
Abstract:
Vancomycin (Van) remains one of the first-line drugs for the treatment of wound infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). However, the unsatisfactory bioavailability of vancomycin alone has greatly limited its potential health benefits. Here a responsive chitosan-based hydrogel was developed as the delivery system which not only would reduce this side effect but also increase efficacy of vancomycin. The hydrogel was prepared by grafting chitosan and cinnamaldehyde-based thioacetal (CTA) together with ginipin (G) as the crosslinker. Upon exposure to reactive oxygen species which were enriched in the bacterial wound, the hydrogel can locally degrade and sustainably release the loaded vancomycin near the lesion to compete with the troubling MRSA. Compared with vancomycin alone, the chitosan-based hydrogel loaded with vancomycin demonstrated accelerated acute wound healing. This achievement reveals that this multi-functional hydrogel may be a promising drug-delivery device for improving the efficacy of local antibiotic therapy.
Insights
A new chitosan hydrogel improves vancomycin delivery for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) wound infections. This delivery system enhances vancomycin efficacy and accelerates wound healing.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Infectious Diseases
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Vancomycin is a primary treatment for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) wound infections.
- Poor vancomycin bioavailability limits its therapeutic effectiveness.
- Novel drug delivery systems are needed to enhance vancomycin's efficacy and reduce side effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a responsive chitosan-based hydrogel for enhanced vancomycin delivery.
- To investigate the hydrogel's ability to improve vancomycin bioavailability and efficacy against MRSA.
- To evaluate the hydrogel's impact on acute wound healing.
Main Methods:
- Chitosan was grafted with cinnamaldehyde-based thioacetal (CTA) and crosslinked with ginipin (G) to form a responsive hydrogel.
- The hydrogel was loaded with vancomycin.
- The degradation and drug release properties of the hydrogel in response to reactive oxygen species (ROS) were studied.
- The efficacy of vancomycin-loaded hydrogel in promoting acute wound healing was compared to vancomycin alone in an in vivo model.
Main Results:
- The developed chitosan-based hydrogel demonstrated responsiveness to reactive oxygen species (ROS), facilitating localized and sustained vancomycin release.
- Vancomycin-loaded hydrogel significantly accelerated acute wound healing compared to vancomycin treatment alone.
- The hydrogel system showed potential in overcoming the limitations of vancomycin's bioavailability.
Conclusions:
- The multi-functional chitosan-based hydrogel is a promising drug-delivery device for local antibiotic therapy.
- This novel hydrogel enhances vancomycin efficacy against MRSA wound infections.
- The system offers a potential strategy for improving treatment outcomes in challenging wound infections.

