title: Chitosan-alginate PEC membrane as a wound dressing: Assessment of incisional wound healing.
abstract: Flexible, thin, transparent, novel chitosan-alginate polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) membranes, cast from aqueous suspensions of chitosan-alginate coacervates with CaCl(2), were evaluated as potential wound-dressing materials. MTT and NR assays suggested that the chitosan-alginate PEC membranes and their aqueous extracts were nontoxic towards mouse and human fibroblast cells. Cell growth was also not hindered by co-incubation with the membranes. Compared to conventional gauze dressing, the PEC membranes caused an accelerated healing of incision wounds in a rat model. Wounds closed at 14 days postoperatively, and histological observations showed mature epidermal architecture with keratinized surface of normal thickness and a subsided inflammation in the dermis. This was followed by an excellent remodeling phase with organized thicker collagen bundles and mature fibroblasts at 21 days postoperative. Control wounds continued to show signs of an active inflammatory phase under scab on Day 21. Closure rate and appearance of PEC membrane-treated wounds were comparable with Opsite(R)-treated wounds. On the basis of its biocompatibility and wound-healing efficacy, the chitosan-alginate PEC membrane can be considered for wound-dressing applications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117543.
authors.forename: Lishan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Eugene
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Khor
authors.forename: Aileen
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wee
authors.forename: Lee Yong
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Lim
mesh_terms: D000464:Alginates / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000633:toxicity; D000818:Animals; D001458:Bandages; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002122:Calcium Chloride / Q000378:metabolism; D002460:Cell Line; D002470:Cell Survival; D002686:Chitin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000633:toxicity; D048271:Chitosan; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D005720:Gamma Rays; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D011108:Polymers / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000633:toxicity; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology / Q000293:injuries; D014867:Water / Q000378:metabolism; D014945:Wound Healing
chemical_list: D000464:Alginates; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011108:Polymers; D014867:Water; D002686:Chitin; D048271:Chitosan; D002122:Calcium Chloride