Carboxymethyl cellulose-based hydrogel film combined with berberine as an innovative tool for chronic wound management

Abstract

Polysaccharide-based hydrogels are achieving remarkable performances in chronic wounds treatment. In this work, a carboxymethyl cellulose-based hydrogel film was developed to support skin repair. The hydrogel was loaded with berberine, a polyphenolic molecule endowing antioxidant and cytoprotective features. The film was physico-chemically characterized and in vitro tested on keratinocytes and fibroblasts subjected to oxidative stress. The biocomposite showed high thermal stability (onset decomposition temperature 245 °C) and significant fluid uptake performances, both in free conditions (up to 6510%) and under external pressure (up to 3400%). Moreover, it was able to control oxidative stress and inflammation markers involved in wound chronicity. Keratinocytes hyperproliferation, features that normally hamper injury restoration, was reduced of 25%. Our results showed that the combination of berberine and hydrogel provides a synergic improvement of the material properties. The biocomposite represents a promising candidate for dermatological applications against oxidative stress at the chronic wound site, promoting the healing process.

Keywords: 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazylhydrate (DPPH) (PubChem CID: 2735032); 2,2′- azino-bis(ethylbenztiazolinone-6-sulfonic) acid (ABTS) (PubChem CID: 5815211); Berberine; Berberine Hydrochloride (PubChem CID: 12456); CMC-based film; Chronic wound; Fibroblasts; Keratinocytes; Topical delivery; bentonite clay (PubChem CID: 72941614); boric acid (PubChem CID: 7628); carboxymethyl cellulose sodium salt (PubChem CID: 6328154); gallium nitrate (PubChem CID: 61635); hydroxyethyl cellulose (PubChem CID: 4327536) Acetylated distarch phosphate (PubChem SID: 24832109); lysozyme (PubChem CID 16130991).