Double Cross-Linked Chitosan/Bacterial Cellulose Dressing with Self-Healable Ability

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Self-healing hydrogels are crucial for advanced wound healing applications.
• Existing hydrogels often lack biocompatibility or efficient self-repair mechanisms.
• Natural polymers offer promising alternatives for developing advanced wound care materials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an all-natural, self-healing hydrogel for wound healing.
• To utilize methacrylated chitosan (CSMA) and dialdehyde bacterial cellulose (DABC) for hydrogel formation.
• To evaluate the self-healing, mechanical, and cytocompatibility properties of the developed hydrogel.

Main Methods:

• Chitosan (CS) was modified with methacrylic anhydride (MA) to create CSMA.
• Bacterial cellulose (BC) was oxidized to introduce dialdehyde groups, forming DABC.
• Hydrogels were formed via Schiff base reaction between CSMA and DABC, confirmed by FTIR.
• Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was used to analyze hydrogel microstructure.
• Compressive strength and swelling ratio were measured.
• In vitro cytocompatibility was assessed using cell viability assays.

Main Results:

• FTIR confirmed successful modification of CS and BC.
• CSMA/DABC hydrogels formed rapidly (11 min) through reversible Schiff base bonds.
• Macroscopic and microscopic observations confirmed excellent self-healing capabilities.
• SEM revealed a uniform, porous structure with well-distributed DABC nanofibers.
• The hydrogel exhibited compressive strength >20 kPa and a swelling ratio >10-fold.
• Cell viability remained above 90%, indicating good cytocompatibility.

Conclusions:

• An all-natural, self-healing hydrogel was successfully developed using CSMA and DABC.
• The hydrogel possesses robust self-healing properties, favorable mechanical strength, and high swelling capacity.
• The material demonstrates excellent cytocompatibility, making it a promising candidate for wound healing and tissue repair.