Alginate–Chitosan Membranes for the Encapsulation of Lavender Essential Oil and Development of Biomedical Applications Related to Wound Healing
Encarnación Cruz Sánchez,
María Teresa García,
Joana Pereira,
Filipe Oliveira,
Rita Craveiro,
Alexandre Paiva,
Ignacio Gracia,
Jesús Manuel García-Vargas,
Ana Rita C. Duarte
Affiliations
Encarnación Cruz Sánchez
Department of Chemical Engineering, Facultad de Ciencias y Tecnologías Químicas, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Avda. Camilo José Cela 12, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
María Teresa García
Department of Chemical Engineering, Facultad de Ciencias y Tecnologías Químicas, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Avda. Camilo José Cela 12, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
Joana Pereira
LAQV-REQUIMTE, Chemistry Department, NOVA School of Science and Technology, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
Filipe Oliveira
LAQV-REQUIMTE, Chemistry Department, NOVA School of Science and Technology, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
Rita Craveiro
LAQV-REQUIMTE, Chemistry Department, NOVA School of Science and Technology, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
Alexandre Paiva
LAQV-REQUIMTE, Chemistry Department, NOVA School of Science and Technology, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
Ignacio Gracia
Department of Chemical Engineering, Facultad de Ciencias y Tecnologías Químicas, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Avda. Camilo José Cela 12, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
Jesús Manuel García-Vargas
Department of Chemical Engineering, Facultad de Ciencias y Tecnologías Químicas, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Avda. Camilo José Cela 12, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
Ana Rita C. Duarte
LAQV-REQUIMTE, Chemistry Department, NOVA School of Science and Technology, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
Biopolymers such as chitosan (CHT) or alginate (ALG) are among the most prominent for health-related applications due to their broad bioactivity. Their combination for the preparation of membranes is hereby proposed as an application for wound healing with the incorporation of lavender essential oil (LEO), widely known for its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. The preparation of CHT, CHT + LEO, ALG, ALG + LEO, and CHT/ALG + LEO membranes was accomplished, and its composition was analyzed using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The water absorption capacity and oil release profile of the membranes revealed higher water uptake capacity when a lower LEO release was obtained. The combined CHT/ALG + LEO film showed a water uptake percentage of 638% after 48 h and a maximum LEO release concentration of 42 mg/L. Cytotoxicity and biocompatibility of the prepared membranes were studied using a HaCaT cell line, with an assessment of cell viability regarding film leachables, DNA quantification, and DAPI-phalloidin staining. The results revealed that the indirect contact of the prepared membranes via its leachables does not compromise cell viability, and upon direct contact, cells do not adhere or proliferate on the surface of the membranes. Moreover, the CHT/ALG + LEO membrane increases cell proliferation, making it suitable for applications in wound healing.
