Exploring bioactive aloe-vera and sterculia gum to develop hydrogel wound dressings by graft-copolymerization

Keeping in view the progressive future prospectus of carbohydrate research, herein, the potential of bioactive polysaccharides aloe vera (AV) and sterculia gum (SG) was explored to develop network hydrogel wound dressings. Both polysaccharides, acemannan of AV gel and glucuronic-galacturonic acid of SG accelerate wound healing process. The antibiotic drug cefuroxime encapsulated dressings were designed by graft-copolymerization with carbopol. The copolymers were characterized by SEM, AFM, FTIR, C¹³ NMR, XRD, TGA-DTG, DSC and swelling studies. The slow diffusion of cefuroxime drug exhibited non-Fickian mechanism and release of drug was occurred with a first order kinetic model. Polymer-bio membrane interactions indicated mucoadhesion nature. The clot formation was reduced during polymer-blood interactions indicated bio-compatible nature of the dressings moreover dressings were found antioxidant in nature. The porous dressings were O₂ permeable and microbial impermeable. The hydrogel dressings revealed antimicrobial activity against P. aeruginosa. Degree of antimicrobial activity enhanced in case of hydrogel wound dressings loaded with cefuroxime. Overall, the results of these biochemical assays, sustained release of antibiotic drug and inherent wound healing potential of AV-SG indicated the use of hydrogels as dressing materials for better wound healing.