Abstract:
The healing of wound is the one of the most complex phenomena that are accomplished in human body. It involves the complex interactions between growth factors, proteins, keratinocytes and extra cellular matrix (ECM). The leading cause of disabilities around the world is burns. The burn wounds are undeniably one of the most difficult ones to cope, where extensive loss of fluid and widespread damage occurred to tissue weaken multiple significant functions performed by skin. The wound healing process is deferred due to severe physiological stress, inflammatory responses, vast exposure area of injury and higher vulnerability to microbial invasions.
This study has been focused on the fabrication and characterization of polymeric wound dressings, composed of Poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and Starch. In addition, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) was added as filler to improving the mechanical strength and Silver-Titania nanoparticles (Ag-TiO2NPs) as an antibacterial agent. g-C3N4 was synthesized from melamine and Ag-TiO2NPs were derived from Dictyosphaerium algae. The prepared films were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). They revealed the good compatibility among the constituents of the membranes. The antibacterial efficacy was investigated against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia Coli. The maximum zone of inhibition achieved was 37.33 and 33.25 mm, respectively at the composition PVA/St/0.14GCN/0.7Ag-TiO2NPs. Furthermore, swelling, moisture retention and water vapor transmission results demonstrated that hydrogels were capable of absorbing large volume of wound exudates. As a result, the chances of infection are reduced, and wound healing process is facilitated. Porosity and oxygen permeability results proved that hydrogels were breathable. Lastly, kinetics of drug release was performed by using various mathematical models. Higuchian model was the best fit. NonFickian diffusion mechanism prevailed and a slow and sustained release of nanoparticles was observed. It can be said that the prepared hydrogel membranes have all the potential to be used as wound dressing for partial and full thickness wounds.
Keywords Poly(vinyl alcohol), Polymers, Hydrophilic, Wound Dressing, Swelling
