Design of polysaccharide gum based network copolymeric hydrogels for drug delivery and wound dressing applications

This article deals with the exploration of the design of network crosslinked structure by covalent bonding for use as wound dressing materials keeping in view inherent therapeutic role of neem gum in wound healing. These copolymeric hydrogels were prepared by graft-copolymerization reaction of carbopol and poly (N-vinylpyrrolidone) (poly (NVP). Antibiotic drug levofloxacin was encapsulated in dressings for better wound healing. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential thermal gravimetry (DTG), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) techniques were applied for characterization. NMR and FTIR demonstrated incorporation of carbapol and poly (NVP) in dressings. XRD indicated amorphous state in copolymeric dressings. Interactions of copolymers with drug, blood and bio membrane were studied to evaluate biomedical properties which revealed controlled release of drug from hydrogel dressings which were possessing blood-compatible (haemolytic value ​= ​2.45 ​± ​0.82) and mucoadhesive (detachment force ​= ​124 ​± ​41 ​mN) properties. Dressings were permeable to O₂ and H₂O vapour and absorbed 6.68 ​± ​0.62 ​g/g wound fluid which is ideal dressing characteristic. Diffusion mechanism type of drug levofloxacin was Fickian with kinetic model First order. These properties suggested use of hydrogel material for wound dressing and drug delivery applications for better wound care management.