Oxidized Hyaluronic Acid-Based Sponges: A Promising Biomaterial for Oral Mucosa Lesion Application

Chitosan (CHT) and hyaluronic acid (HA) are biomaterials with diverse properties. While each has been individually employed for the treatment of oral lesions, there is a need for further evidence regarding their combined properties. This study compares the effects on the properties and biocompatibility of chitosan sponges, CHT crosslinked with oxidized hyaluronic acid (OHA) (oxidized at 1:1 and 1:2 ratios, respectively), and CHT crosslinked with oxidized hyaluronic acid and polyethylene glycol diglycidyl ether (PEGDE). Spectroscopy revealed reduced free amino groups and the amide I/II ratio in CHT sponges crosslinked with OHA. SEM confirmed the porous network morphology with an average pore size ranging from 155 to 213 μm. TGA indicated the scaffolds' decomposition temperature (Td) increased from 253° to 308°, with the CHT-OHA 1:2 sponge exhibiting the highest thermal stability. Compression testing highlighted that the chitosan sponges crosslinked with AHO and PEGDE at a 1:2 ratio displayed a higher elastic modulus than the other studied scaffolds. The MTS assay confirmed that the fabricated biomaterials were not cytotoxic. This study demonstrates the enhanced properties and biocompatibility of CHT-OHA and CHT-OHA-PEGDE sponges, highlighting their potential for oral lesion treatment.