Biomacromolecules/Modified Halloysite Composite Hydrogel Used as Multifunctional Wound Dressing
January 2021
in “
Smart materials in medicine
”
silk fibroin chitosan modified halloysite composite hydrogel hemostatic performance antibacterial properties E. coli S. aureus cell migration angiogenesis epithelialization scar formation wound healing silk protein chitin derivative halloysite nanotubes hydrogel blood clotting antibacterial Escherichia coli Staphylococcus aureus cell movement new blood vessel formation skin cell growth scar reduction healing
TLDR The new hydrogel is good for wound dressing because it absorbs water quickly, has high porosity, can release drugs, fights bacteria, and helps wounds heal with less scarring.
In the 2021 study, researchers developed a silk fibroin/chitosan/modified halloysite (SF/CS/mHNT) composite hydrogel for use as a multi-functional wound dressing. The hydrogel was designed to enhance the mechanical properties and stability of chitosan hydrogels and to improve hemostatic performance. It demonstrated rapid water absorption, high porosity, and the ability to load and release drugs in a pH-dependent manner. The hydrogel also exhibited antibacterial properties against E. coli and S. aureus. In an animal full-thickness skin wound model, the hydrogel promoted cell migration, angiogenesis, epithelialization, and reduced scar formation, indicating its effectiveness in wound healing. The study concluded that the SF/CS/mHNT hydrogel has promising characteristics for wound dressing applications, but the number of subjects used in the animal model was not provided, which is a limitation in assessing the study's strength.
