TiO₂-Alginate-Chitosan-Based Composites for Skin Tissue Engineering Applications.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Materials Chemistry
• Skin Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation from sunlight causes DNA damage in skin cells, leading to skin cancer and premature aging.
• Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a common UV-B absorbent used in sunscreens.
• Alginate and chitosan are biocompatible polymers with known roles in skin regeneration and protection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To incorporate titanium dioxide into alginate and chitosan-alginate hydrogel composites.
• To evaluate the stability and properties of these novel hydrogel composites for potential skin protection and regeneration applications.

Main Methods:

• Hydrogel composites were synthesized using alginate, chitosan, and titanium dioxide, cross-linked with calcium ions.
• Material characterization involved FT-IR, Raman, and UV-Vis spectroscopy.
• In vitro assays assessed stability under solar irradiation and simulated body fluid, and cell viability.

Main Results:

• The hydrogel composites demonstrated stability when exposed to solar irradiation.
• A thin apatite layer formed on the surface of composites containing alginate, chitosan, and titanium dioxide after in vitro testing.
• In vitro cell viability assays indicated a positive impact of the anatase phase of titanium dioxide within the hydrogel composites.

Conclusions:

• Alginate and chitosan-based hydrogel composites incorporating titanium dioxide are stable and exhibit potential for skin protection and regeneration.
• The presence of titanium dioxide, particularly its anatase phase, positively influences cell viability in these biomaterials.