Xylan-chitosan based films with deep eutectic solvents for wound healing applications

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Wound Healing Research

Background:

• Innovative wound dressings are crucial for effective healthcare, driving demand for advanced materials.
• Sustainable biopolymeric materials offer a promising avenue for developing next-generation wound care solutions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop functional biopolymeric films using xylans, chitosan, and a deep eutectic solvent (DES).
• To evaluate the films' properties for wound care applications, including mechanical strength, thermal stability, biocompatibility, UV protection, and antimicrobial activity.

Main Methods:

• Solvent casting technique was employed to prepare biopolymeric films.
• A deep eutectic solvent (DES) was utilized for biopolymer solubilization, plasticization, and compatibilization.
• Characterization included mechanical testing, thermal analysis, cytotoxicity assays (HaCaT cells), UV-vis spectroscopy, antibacterial assays (MRSA), and in vitro wound healing scratch assays.

Main Results:

• The optimal film (50:50 xylan:chitosan) exhibited good homogeneity, thermal stability (up to 150°C), and mechanical properties (8.2 MPa tensile strength, 110% elongation at break).
• Films demonstrated non-cytotoxicity (≥80% cell viability), effective UV protection (≤38% transmittance), and significant antibacterial activity against MRSA (≥4-log reduction in vitro, 2-log reduction ex vivo).
• In vitro assays showed 76% wound closure after 30h and 17% relative cell viability in a 3D hydrogel model after 72h.

Conclusions:

• The developed xylan-chitosan biopolymeric films, utilizing DES, are suitable for wound care applications.
• These films possess a favorable combination of properties, including mechanical integrity, thermal stability, biocompatibility, UV shielding, and potent antimicrobial action.
• The findings suggest potential for these sustainable materials in advancing wound healing technologies.