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Antiseptic Chitosan-Poly(hexamethylene) Biguanide Hydrogel for the Treatment of Infectious Wounds
Irine Rose Antony1, Aathira Pradeep1, Anoop Vasudevan Pillai2
1Polymeric Biomaterials Lab, School of Nanosciences and Molecular Medicine, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kochi 682041, India.
Abstract:
Topical wound infections create the ideal conditions for microbial colonization and growth in terms of moisture, temperature, and nutrients. When they are not protected, numerous types of bacteria from the internal microbiota and the external environment may colonize them, creating a polymicrobial population. Treatment of these wounds often necessitates the use of antibiotics that may have systemic harmful effects. Unlike antibiotics, topical antiseptics exhibit a wider range of activity and reduced systemic toxicity and resistance. In order to address this issue, we developed an antiseptic Chitosan-Poly (hexamethylene) Biguanide (CS-PHMB) hydrogel. The prepared hydrogel was characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). SEM images showed the smooth morphology and characteristic FTIR peaks of PHMB and confirmed the incorporation of the antiseptic into the chitosan (CS) hydrogel. A Water Vapor Permeation Rate study confirms the moisture retention ability of the CS-PHMB hydrogel. Rheological studies proved the gel strength and temperature stability. The prepared hydrogel inhibited the growth of S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, E. coli, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and K. pneumoniae, which confirms its antibacterial properties. It also inhibited biofilm formation for S. aureus and E. coli. CS-PHMB hydrogel is also found to be hemo- and cytocompatible in nature. Thus, the developed CS-PHMB hydrogel is a very potent candidate to be used for treating infectious topical wounds with low systemic toxicity.
Insights
A new Chitosan-Poly (hexamethylene) Biguanide (CS-PHMB) hydrogel effectively treats topical wound infections by inhibiting bacterial growth and biofilm formation. This antiseptic hydrogel offers a safer alternative to antibiotics with reduced systemic toxicity.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Infectious Diseases
- Wound Care
Background:
- Topical wound infections foster microbial growth due to optimal moisture, temperature, and nutrient conditions.
- Polymicrobial populations in wounds can arise from internal microbiota and external environmental exposure.
- Antibiotic treatments for wound infections can lead to systemic adverse effects and resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize an antiseptic Chitosan-Poly (hexamethylene) Biguanide (CS-PHMB) hydrogel for treating topical wound infections.
- To evaluate the antibacterial properties and biofilm inhibition capabilities of the CS-PHMB hydrogel.
- To assess the hemo- and cytocompatibility of the developed hydrogel for safe topical application.
Main Methods:
- Characterization of the CS-PHMB hydrogel using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).
- Assessment of moisture retention via Water Vapor Permeation Rate studies.
- Evaluation of antibacterial activity against common wound pathogens and biofilm inhibition assays.
- Rheological studies to determine gel strength and temperature stability.
- Hemo- and cytocompatibility testing.
Main Results:
- SEM confirmed smooth morphology, and FTIR verified PHMB incorporation into the chitosan hydrogel.
- Water Vapor Permeation Rate studies indicated effective moisture retention.
- The CS-PHMB hydrogel demonstrated significant inhibition of bacterial growth including *S. aureus*, *P. aeruginosa*, *E. coli*, MRSA, and *K. pneumoniae*.
- Biofilm formation was inhibited for *S. aureus* and *E. coli*.
- Rheological studies confirmed suitable gel strength and temperature stability.
- The hydrogel exhibited hemo- and cytocompatibility.
Conclusions:
- The developed CS-PHMB hydrogel possesses potent antibacterial properties and inhibits biofilm formation.
- The hydrogel exhibits favorable characteristics for wound care, including moisture retention and stability.
- CS-PHMB hydrogel presents a promising, low-toxicity alternative for managing infectious topical wounds.
