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LL37 Microspheres Loaded on Activated Carbon-chitosan Hydrogel: Anti-bacterial and Anti-toxin Wound Dressing for
Bee-Yee Lim1,2, Fazren Azmi2, Shiow-Fern Ng3
1National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency, 36, Jalan Profesor Diraja Ungku Aziz, PJS 13, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, 46200, Malaysia.
Abstract:
Antimicrobial peptide LL37 is a promising antibacterial candidate due to its potent antimicrobial activity with no known bacterial resistance. However, intrinsically LL37 is susceptible to degradation in wound fluids limits its effectiveness. Bacterial toxins which are released after cell lysis are found to hinder wound healing. To address these challenges, encapsulating LL37 in microspheres (MS) and loading the MS onto activated carbon (AC)-chitosan (CS) hydrogel. This advanced wound dressing not only protects LL37 from degradation but also targets bacterial toxins, aiding in the healing of chronic wound infections. First, LL37 MS and LL37-AC-CS hydrogel were prepared and characterised in terms of physicochemical properties, drug release, and peptide-polymer compatibility. Antibacterial and antibiofilm activity, bacterial toxin elimination, cell migration, and cell cytotoxicity activities were investigated. LL37-AC-CS hydrogel was effective against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus. LL37-AC-CS hydrogel bound more endotoxin than AC with CS hydrogel alone. The hydrogel also induced cell migration after 72 h and showed no cytotoxicity towards NHDF after 72 h of treatment. In conclusion, the LL37-AC-CS hydrogel was shown to be a stable, non-toxic advanced wound dressing method with enhanced antimicrobial and antitoxin activity, and it can potentially be applied to chronic wound infections to accelerate wound healing.
Insights
This study developed a novel wound dressing using antimicrobial peptide LL37 encapsulated in microspheres and loaded onto activated carbon-chitosan hydrogel. This advanced dressing protects LL37, eliminates bacterial toxins, and promotes chronic wound healing.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Infectious Disease Research
- Wound Healing Technologies
Background:
- Antimicrobial peptide LL37 shows potent antibacterial effects but is degraded in wound fluids.
- Bacterial toxins released post-lysis impede chronic wound healing.
- Advanced wound dressings are needed to protect antimicrobials and neutralize toxins.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize a novel wound dressing combining LL37, microspheres, activated carbon, and chitosan hydrogel.
- To evaluate the dressing's efficacy in protecting LL37, eliminating bacterial toxins, and promoting wound healing.
- To assess the dressing's antibacterial, antibiofilm, and cytotoxicity profiles.
Main Methods:
- LL37-loaded microspheres and activated carbon-chitosan hydrogels were prepared and characterized.
- Physicochemical properties, drug release kinetics, and peptide-polymer compatibility were assessed.
- Antibacterial, antibiofilm, toxin-binding, cell migration, and cytotoxicity assays were performed.
Main Results:
- The LL37-activated carbon-chitosan hydrogel demonstrated stability and compatibility.
- Effective inhibition of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus was observed.
- Enhanced endotoxin binding capacity and promotion of fibroblast migration with no cytotoxicity were confirmed.
Conclusions:
- The LL37-activated carbon-chitosan hydrogel represents a stable, non-toxic advanced wound dressing.
- This formulation offers enhanced antimicrobial and antitoxin activity for chronic wound infections.
- The developed hydrogel shows significant potential for accelerating chronic wound healing.
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