High ionic strength-driven formation of pharmaceutically loaded alginate-chitosan films with tunable release...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Drug Delivery Systems

Background:

• Developing advanced wound dressings is crucial for effective healing.
• pH-responsive drug delivery systems offer targeted therapeutic release.
• Alginate-chitosan polyelectrolyte complexes show promise for biomedical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop pH-responsive, crosslinker-free alginate-chitosan films for wound drug delivery.
• To investigate the role of KBr-regulated complexation in film porosity and drug release.
• To evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of drug-loaded films.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of alginate-chitosan films with varying ratios.
• Characterization using swelling tests, nitrogen sorption/desorption, FTIR, and SEM.
• Incorporation and release studies of antibacterial agents (ethonium, ciprofloxacin).
• In vitro antibacterial testing against E. coli.

Main Results:

• The 1:1 alginate-chitosan ratio optimized film properties for pH-dependent swelling and mechanical integrity.
• KBr acted as a transient porogen, increasing pore volume and surface area.
• Tunable drug release profiles (sustained, pH-modulated, diffusion-controlled) were achieved based on drug incorporation method.
• Drug-loaded films demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against E. coli.

Conclusions:

• KBr-regulated complexation provides a versatile method for creating tunable alginate-chitosan films.
• These films exhibit pH-responsive swelling, programmable drug release, and antibacterial functionality.
• The developed platforms hold potential for advanced wound care applications.