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Published on: February 26, 2021
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Dual Crosslinked Ion-Based Bacterial Cellulose Composite Hydrogel Containing Polyhexamethylene Biguanide
Baramee Chanabodeechalermrung1, Tanpong Chaiwarit1, Sarana Rose Sommano2,3,4
1Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.
Membranes
|September 22, 2022
Summary
This study developed a bacterial cellulose-based hydrogel incorporating polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) for wound healing. The composite hydrogel exhibited excellent antibacterial properties and biocompatibility, making it a promising wound dressing candidate.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Advanced wound dressings require materials with antimicrobial properties and good biocompatibility.
- Bacterial cellulose (BC) offers a promising scaffold due to its unique properties.
- Incorporating antimicrobial agents into hydrogels can enhance wound healing efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To fabricate and characterize composite bacterial cellulose (BC)-based hydrogels with alginate (A) and/or pectin (P).
- To incorporate polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) as an antimicrobial agent.
- To evaluate the physicochemical properties, biocompatibility, and antibacterial activity of the developed hydrogels for wound dressing applications.
Main Methods:
- Composite hydrogels were fabricated using a physical crosslinking technique with calcium chloride (CaCl2).
- Polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) was incorporated via an immersion method.
- Physicochemical properties, mechanical strength, fluid uptake, water retention, drug release kinetics, in vitro cell viability (HaCaT cells), and antibacterial activity against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa were assessed.
Main Results:
- Hydrogel formulations containing PHMB demonstrated superior physicochemical properties compared to those without.
- Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) confirmed the interaction between PHMB and the carboxylic groups of alginate and pectin.
- The BC/A-PHMB hydrogel exhibited suitable mechanical strength, fluid uptake, water retention, high integrity, and swelling degree.
- In vitro studies showed high biocompatibility with HaCaT cells and demonstrated sustained PHMB release in Tris-HCl buffer (pH 7.4) and rapid release in PBS (pH 7.4).
- Significant antibacterial activity against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa was observed.
Conclusions:
- The developed BC/A-PHMB hydrogel is a potential dual crosslinked ion-based material for wound dressing applications.
- The hydrogel possesses desirable properties including antimicrobial activity, biocompatibility, and controlled drug release.
- This composite hydrogel shows promise for advanced wound care management.

