Multifunctional Hydrogels Based on Cellulose and Modified Lignin for Advanced Wounds Management.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Wound Healing Research

Background:

• Optimal wound dressings require biocompatibility, moisture balance, exudate management, and antimicrobial action.
• Current dressings often struggle to meet all criteria for complex wound healing processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and characterize a multifunctional hydrogel for oral wound dressing applications.
• To evaluate the hydrogel's biocompatibility, drug delivery capabilities, and wound healing potential.

Main Methods:

• Hydrogels synthesized using cellulose (C) and chemically modified lignin (LE), cross-linked with epichlorohydrin.
• Characterization via ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, SEM, swelling tests, drug release kinetics (procaine hydrochloride), cytotoxicity, antibacterial assays, rheology, mechanical testing, and mucoadhesion.
• Evaluation of drug incorporation and controlled release of procaine hydrochloride (PrHy).

Main Results:

• CLE hydrogels exhibited increased swelling compared to cellulose-only hydrogels.
• Enhanced capacity for procaine hydrochloride encapsulation and controlled release.
• Demonstrated antibacterial properties and improved mucoadhesion.
• Positive impact of lignin addition on hydrogel properties.

Conclusions:

• The developed CLE hydrogels possess a combination of desirable properties for wound dressings.
• These hydrogels show significant potential as effective oral wound dressing materials.
• The incorporation of modified lignin enhances the functionality of cellulose-based hydrogels.