Fe/Se nanocomposite-loaded chitosan/alginate films for wound healing

Infectious wounds pose a major challenge to the healthcare sector, with numerous barriers, infections, dysregulated inflammation, and impaired cellular functions as well as complex healing mechanisms. To overcome these challenges, we report the fabrication of disulfide crosslinked chitosan/alginate (CAT)-based film loaded with iron oxide/selenium nanocomposite (SeIO) and ursodeoxycholic acid drug (UDC). Loading of SeIO and UDC in UDC/SeIO/CAT film leads to ⁓47 % increment in tensile strength as compared to CAT film. UDC/SeIO/CAT film shows the porosity of ∼70 % and swelling ratios of around 800 % at physiological pH 7.4, which can aid in the enhanced drug release and efficient wound healing. UDC/SeIO/CAT films exhibit a controlled degradation profile, and prolonged drug release of 92 % and 86 % at pH 7.4 and pH 8.5, respectively, over 110 h. It shows 99 % drug release at pH 5.5 over 74 h. Film displays 90 % antioxidant activity along with antibacterial activity of 86 % against E. coli and 89 % against S. aureus. Additionally, UDC/SeIO/CAT film is hemocompatible and exhibits good hemostatic behavior. It shows 130 % cell viability in murine fibroblast L929 cells, thus corroborating its cytocompatibility. Quantitative analysis of wound healing by scratch assay reveals 91 % decrease in wounded area on treatment with UDC/SeIO/CAT films.