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Experimental Optimization of Tannic Acid-Crosslinked Hydrogels for Neomycin Delivery in Infected Wounds
Peerapat Chidchai1, Kanokwan Singpanna1, Supusson Pengnam1,2,3
1Pharmaceutical Development of Green Innovations Group (PDGIG), Faculty of Pharmacy, Silpakorn University, Nakhon Pathom 73000, Thailand.
Polymers
|April 28, 2025
Summary
This study developed optimized neomycin-integrated hydrogels using tannic acid (TA) for treating infected wounds. The novel hydrogels show promising antibacterial activity and physical properties for wound healing applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Wound Healing Research
Background:
- Wound infections present significant clinical challenges, including prolonged healing and antibiotic resistance.
- Conventional wound dressings often lack sustained drug release, adequate moisture balance, and robust antibacterial action.
- This necessitates the development of advanced wound care materials with improved therapeutic efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To optimize and develop neomycin-integrated hydrogels crosslinked with tannic acid (TA) for infectious wound treatment.
- To evaluate the physical, mechanical, and antibacterial properties of the developed hydrogels.
- To assess the potential of TA as a natural crosslinker for wound dressing applications.
Main Methods:
- Hydrogels were formulated using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) with varying concentrations, crosslinked by tannic acid (TA).
- A central composite design was employed for hydrogel optimization.
- Characterization included water content, water absorption, erosion, water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), mechanical testing, and antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus via time-kill analysis.
Main Results:
- The optimal hydrogel composition (PVA:PVP ratio of 20:19.89) exhibited favorable properties: 71.86% water content, 124.96% water absorption, 33.08% erosion, and 5567 g/m²/24 h WVTR.
- The hydrogel demonstrated good mechanical properties, including a Young's modulus of 474.81 Pa and sufficient tensile strength.
- Neomycin-integrated hydrogels effectively inhibited Staphylococcus aureus growth, comparable to a standard neomycin solution.
Conclusions:
- Tannic acid is a viable and promising natural crosslinker for hydrogel development.
- The optimized neomycin-hydrogel system offers a suitable platform for cutaneous drug delivery.
- These findings suggest potential for this advanced hydrogel in treating infected wounds effectively.
