Skin Barrier Restoration by Waste-Derived Multifunctional Adhesive Hydrogel Based on Tannin-Modified Chitosan

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Materials Chemistry
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Developing advanced wound dressings is crucial for managing complex wounds and improving patient outcomes.
• There is a growing need for sustainable and multifunctional materials in healthcare applications.
• Valorizing waste products like wood tannins into functional biomaterials presents an eco-friendly approach.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create a multifunctional hydrogel dressing from chitosan and wood tannins for active wound management.
• To evaluate the physical, antioxidant, UV-blocking, and wound healing properties of the developed hydrogel.
• To demonstrate a sustainable method for utilizing wood waste in bio-based wound care materials.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a hydrogel via physical cross-linking of chitosan and wood tannins.
• Characterization of hydrogel properties including swelling, mechanical strength (Young's modulus), flexibility, and adhesion.
• Assessment of antioxidant activity using DPPH radical scavenging assay.
• Evaluation of UV-blocking capabilities.
• In vivo wound healing studies on abdominoplasty-derived skin models.

Main Results:

• A stable, highly swellable hydrogel (>2000%·mg^-1) was successfully produced.
• The hydrogel exhibited mechanical properties (Young's modulus ~7 MPa) comparable to skin, with good flexibility and adhesion.
• Tannins conferred potent antioxidant activity (100% RSA) and complete UV light blockage.
• Wound healing investigations showed enhanced skin barrier restoration and facilitated wound regeneration.

Conclusions:

• The chitosan-wood tannin hydrogel is a promising multifunctional material for active wound management.
• This bio-based dressing leverages wood waste, offering a sustainable and effective solution for wound care.
• The material's properties support wound healing by protecting the wound environment and promoting tissue repair.