Investigations on the impact of the introduction of the Aloe vera into the hydrogel matrix on cytotoxic and hydrophilic properties of these systems considered as potential wound dressings

S Kudłacik-Kramarczyk; A Drabczyk; M Głąb; D Alves-Lima; H Lin; T E L Douglas; S Kuciel; A Zagórska; B Tyliszczak

doi:10.1016/j.msec.2021.111977

Investigations on the impact of the introduction of the Aloe vera into the hydrogel matrix on cytotoxic and hydrophilic properties of these systems considered as potential wound dressings

Mater Sci Eng C Mater Biol Appl. 2021 Apr:123:111977. doi: 10.1016/j.msec.2021.111977. Epub 2021 Feb 19.

Authors

S Kudłacik-Kramarczyk¹, A Drabczyk², M Głąb³, D Alves-Lima⁴, H Lin⁴, T E L Douglas⁵, S Kuciel³, A Zagórska⁶, B Tyliszczak⁷

Affiliations

¹ Cracow University of Technology, Faculty of Materials Engineering and Physics, Institute of Materials Science, 37 Jana Pawła II Av., 31-864 Krakow, Poland. Electronic address: sonia.kudlacik-kramarczyk@pk.edu.pl.
² Cracow University of Technology, Faculty of Materials Engineering and Physics, Institute of Materials Science, 37 Jana Pawła II Av., 31-864 Krakow, Poland. Electronic address: anna.drabczyk2@pk.edu.pl.
³ Cracow University of Technology, Faculty of Materials Engineering and Physics, Institute of Materials Science, 37 Jana Pawła II Av., 31-864 Krakow, Poland.
⁴ Engineering Department, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YW, UK.
⁵ Engineering Department, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YW, UK; Materials Science Institute (MSI), Lancaster University, UK.
⁶ Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 9 Medyczna Street, 30-688 Kraków, Poland.
⁷ Cracow University of Technology, Faculty of Materials Engineering and Physics, Institute of Materials Science, 37 Jana Pawła II Av., 31-864 Krakow, Poland. Electronic address: bozena.tyliszczak@pk.edu.pl.

PMID: 33812605
DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2021.111977

Abstract

In the paper, synthesis of chitosan-based hydrogels modified with Aloe vera juice is presented. The novelty of the research was a combination of hydrogel materials with properties beneficial in viewpoint of their use as modern wound dressings and Aloe vera juice supporting the wound healing process. Hydrogels have been obtained via UV radiation. The impact of the amount of the crosslinking agent as well as the introduction of the Aloe vera juice into the hydrogel matrix has been determined. Performed measurements involved analysis of the swelling ability, characteristics of the surface roughness, determining the release profile of Aloe vera and the contact angles of hydrogels. Furthermore, the analysis of the dehydration process of the polymer membrane, investigations on the cytotoxicity of hydrogels via MTT reduction assay and the neutral red uptake assay as well as the studies on the pro-inflammatory activity have also been performed. It was proved that the addition of Aloe vera juice improves the hydrophilic properties of the materials (e.g. contact angle changed from 82.5° to 73.0°). Next, the use of 25% more of the crosslinker resulted even in the increase of the contact angle by 86%. Modified hydrogels showed higher swelling properties even by 15% than unmodified materials. Furthermore, obtained hydrogels show an ability to release Aloe vera - after 5 h approx. 80% of this additive has been released in an acidic environment. Tested materials do not exhibit cytotoxic properties, the addition of Aloe vera results in an improvement of the viability of L929 murine fibroblasts and, importantly, these materials show lower pro-inflammatory activity than the positive control. Performed investigations allow to state that obtained materials show a great application potential.

Keywords: Aloe vera; Chitosan; Hydrogels; MTT reduction assay; Roughness profiles; Water desorption; Wettability.

MeSH terms

Aloe*
Animals
Bandages
Chitosan*
Hydrogels
Mice
Wound Healing

Substances

Hydrogels
Chitosan