Self-crosslinked chitosan/κ-carrageenan-based biomimetic membranes to combat diabetic burn wound infections

Graphical illustration of the developmental process of hydrogel membrane for diabetic wound healing, indicating the crosslinked structure of hydrogel and revealing the healing potential of bioactive polymer based membranes. The antibacterial activity of membrane and wound tissue regeneration after topical administration along with granulation tissue formation in the wound healing cascade. [Display omitted] •Biopolymer-based CTX loaded hydrogel membranes were developed as wound dressings.•Developed membranes provide optimized WVTR and oxygen permeability at wound site.•Biopolymers are appreciable for wound dressing due to their regenerative potential.•Significant collagen deposition and rapid wound closure were observed in treatment group. Diabetic wound infection often leads to compromised healing with frequent chances of sepsis, amputation and even death. Traditional patient care emphasized on early debridement and fluid resuscitation followed by intravenous antibiotics therapy. However, compromised vasculature often limit the systemic effect of antibiotics. Current study focused formulation of chitosan HCl, κ- carrageenan and PVA based physical cross-linked hydrogel membrane dressings loaded with cefotaxime sodium (CTX), for potential diabetic burn wound healing by adopting solvent casting method. Results of mechanical strength shows tensile strength and % elongation of 12.63 ± 0.25 and 48 ±3.05 respectively. Water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) depicts that despite of formulation KCP3 and KCP6, all hydrogel membranes have WVTR value in range of ideal dressing i.e., 2000–2500 g/m2/day. Whereas, all hydrogel membranes have oxygen permibility values more than 8.2 mg/ml. Bacterial penetration analysis confirms the barrier property of formulated membranes. Drug loaded hydrogel membrane showed control release up to 24 hr which provide protection against bacterial proliferation. Present study aims to constructs diabetic burn rat model which demonstrate that CTX loaded hydrogel membrane shown significantly rapid wound closure higher re-epithelization and numerous granulation tissue formation as compared to positive and negative control group. Conclusively, it is confirmed that formulated hydrogel membranes are beneficial and can be considered as a promising membrane dressing to treat diabetic burn wound.