Citric modified chitosan (CC) hydrogel containing antibacterial drugs is developed by the freezing and thawing treatment method. The SEM image of the CC hydrogel revealed a porous structure. The rheological properties, porosity, swelling rate, water uptake, tensile properties and in vitro degradation were found to be tunable via CC concentration. To enhance antibacterial properties, tetracycline hydrochloride (TH) representing the drug model, was integrated into the CC hydrogel. The cumulative release of drug was also tunable via CC concentration. The drug loaded CC hydrogel showed enhanced antimicrobial activity against E. coli and S. aureus. In animal tests, it was found the TH loaded CC hydrogel accelerated the healing of the wounds created on rats. These results suggest that the drug loaded CC hydrogel has a promising future in wound healing as a wound dressing.
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