Fabrication and Characterization of Erythromycin Loaded Spin Coated Ultra-Thin PVA/PLA Hybrid Polymer Films for Wound Healing Applications

Abstract

Wounds are highly vulnerable to bacterial infection due to loss/impairment of the skin’s integrity. Therefore, prevention of bacterial infection in the wound is critical for management of the wound. Thus, it is very important to develop a wound dressing material that not only is non-toxic, biocompatible and impermeable to bacteria and microbes but also aids the healing process .Polymeric ultra-thin films, so called nanosheets, due to their adhesive nature show peculiar properties making them useful for many applications like they showed good barrier ability for protecting against bacterial penetration. The present study deals with the development of ultra-thin polymer films consisting of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and poly lactic acid (PLA) with the ability of encapsulating antibiotic agent (erythromycin) in the wound area. These hybrid films were developed using the spin coating method, wherein 9% (w/v) of PVA and 3% (w/v) of PLA was dissolved in hot DMF. These films were further loaded with antimicrobial agent (erythromycin) and spin coated on a clean glass surface. The blended films were characterized through Scanning electron microscopy (SEM/EDS) analysis and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) .Water contact angle was also measured to evaluate the hydrophilicity of the films.In addition, in-vitro degradation profile of these ultra-thin polymer films and drug release profile were investigated using simulated fluid wound exudate. Results indicated that ultra-thin polymer films are hydrophilic enough to attach to the surface. FTIR data indicated physical interaction occurred between drug and polymers. SEM analysis revealed uniform distribution of drug molecules in polymer matrix. In vitro drug release profiles showed specific release pattern, thus making then