Preparation of Chromolaena odorata (Siam weed) loaded hydrogels and the effect of electrical potentials on the total flavonoids releasing behavior for wound healing application

ABSTRACT Gelatin hydrogels containing the Chromolaena odorata (Siam Weed) crude extract were fabricated to study the morphology, the percentage of swelling, the total flavonoids released under a system without and with the external voltage stimulation, and the antibacterial properties. The percentage of pore area per cross-sectional area of the hydrogel was 23.56%. The hydrogels showed the extraordinarily high swelling percentage of 1,087.32 ± 16.16%. The total released flavonoids increased over time for both the systems without and with the external voltage stimulation. The total released flavonoid content from the systems with the external voltage stimulation was in larger quantities and more rapidly release comparing to the system in the absence of external voltage stimulation. The equivalent amount of the total released flavonoid tended to increase with the stimulating voltage of 0–0.3 V, but decreased when the excitation voltage was more than 0.3 V. Preferred amount of the total flavonoids released from hydrogels could be partly controlled by specific voltage stimulation. The fabricated hydrogel exhibits novel and great initial properties for wound healing materials and wound care application not only due to its extremely water absorption characteristic, but also perfectly in Gram-positive bacteria growth inhibition, which is ideal for the treatment of certain wounds with infection.