To accomplish ideal wound dressing, hydrogels based on a natural polysaccharide, pullulan were synthesized by chemical cross-linking. The tensile strengths of the hydrogel films (1 mm thick) were determined to range from 0.663 to 1.097 MPa in proportion to cross-linking degrees and water contents. The swelling study of the hydrogels in water showed remarkable water absorption property with swelling ratio up to 4000%, which provided the hydrogel with quick hemostatic ability and prevent the wound bed from accumulation of exudates. The water vapor transmission rate and water retention of the hydrogels were found to be in the range of 2213-3498 g/m²/day and 34.74-45.81% (after 6 days), indicating that the hydrogel can maintain a moist environment over wound bed, which could prevent the dehydration of the wound bed and prevent the scab formation. Biocompatibility test revealed that the hydrogels were not cytotoxic. The hydrogel could load antimicrobial agents and effectively suppress bacterial proliferation to protect the wound from bacterial invasion. These results suggest that the pullulan hydrogels prepared in this study may have high potential as new ideal wound-dressing materials.
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