New Smart Bioactive and Biomimetic Chitosan-Based Hydrogels for Wounds Care Management
Simona-Maria Tatarusanu,
Alexandru Sava,
Bianca-Stefania Profire,
Tudor Pinteala,
Alexandra Jitareanu,
Andreea-Teodora Iacob,
Florentina Lupascu,
Natalia Simionescu,
Irina Rosca,
Lenuta Profire
Affiliations
Simona-Maria Tatarusanu
Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa” of Iasi, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iași, Romania
Alexandru Sava
Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa” of Iasi, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iași, Romania
Bianca-Stefania Profire
Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa” of Iasi, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iași, Romania
Tudor Pinteala
Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa” of Iasi, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iași, Romania
Alexandra Jitareanu
Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa” of Iasi, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iași, Romania
Andreea-Teodora Iacob
Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa” of Iasi, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iași, Romania
Florentina Lupascu
Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa” of Iasi, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iași, Romania
Natalia Simionescu
Centre of Advanced Research in Bionanoconjugates and Biopolymers, “PetruPoni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, 41A GrigoreGhica-Voda Alley, 700487 Iasi, Romania
Irina Rosca
Centre of Advanced Research in Bionanoconjugates and Biopolymers, “PetruPoni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, 41A GrigoreGhica-Voda Alley, 700487 Iasi, Romania
Lenuta Profire
Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa” of Iasi, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iași, Romania
Wound management represents a continuous challenge for health systems worldwide, considering the growing incidence of wound-related comorbidities, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and autoimmune diseases. In this context, hydrogels are considered viable options since they mimic the skin structure and promote autolysis and growth factor synthesis. Unfortunately, hydrogels are associated with several drawbacks, such as low mechanical strength and the potential toxicity of byproducts released after crosslinking reactions. To overcome these aspects, in this study new smart chitosan (CS)-based hydrogels were developed, using oxidized chitosan (oxCS) and hyaluronic acid (oxHA) as nontoxic crosslinkers. Three active product ingredients (APIs) (fusidic acid, allantoin, and coenzyme Q10), with proven biological effects, were considered for inclusion in the 3D polymer matrix. Therefore, six API-CS-oxCS/oxHA hydrogels were obtained. The presence of dynamic imino bonds in the hydrogels’ structure, which supports their self-healing and self-adapting properties, was confirmed by spectral methods. The hydrogels were characterized by SEM, swelling degree, pH, and the internal organization of the 3D matrix was studied by rheological behavior. Moreover, the cytotoxicity degree and the antimicrobial effects were also investigated. In conclusion, the developed API-CS-oxCS/oxHA hydrogels have real potential as smart materials in wound management, based on their self-healing and self-adapting properties, as well as on the benefits of APIs.
