Crosslinking gelatin with robust inherent antibacterial natural polymer for wound healing

• Published in: International journal of biological macromolecules 2024-11, Vol.280 (Pt 4), p.136144, Article 136144
• Main Authors: Najafloo, Raziyeh, Milan, Peiman Brouki, Karimi, Afzal, Bagher, Zohreh, Kalmer, Ramin Ramezani, Ghasemian, Melina, Faridi-Majidi, Raheleh
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents - chemistry; Anti-Bacterial Agents - pharmacology; Bandages; biocompatibility; biocompatible materials; Biocompatible Materials - chemistry; Biocompatible Materials - pharmacology; biopolymers; Biopolymers - chemistry; Biopolymers - pharmacology; blood vessels; cell adhesion; collagen; cost effectiveness; Cross-linking; cross-linking reagents; Cross-Linking Reagents - chemistry; crosslinking; cytotoxicity; Escherichia coli; Escherichia coli - drug effects; extracellular matrix; Gelatin; Gelatin - chemistry; Humans; hydrogen; inflammation; Lignin - analogs & derivatives; Lignin - chemistry; Lignin - pharmacology; lignosulfonates; Mice; modulus of elasticity; Oxidase lignosulfonate; oxidation; schiff bases; Staphylococcus aureus; Staphylococcus aureus - drug effects; Wound healing; Wound Healing - drug effects
• ISSN: 0141-8130; 1879-0003; 1879-0003
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.136144

Gelatin-based biomaterials are widely acknowledged as a promising choice for wound dressings, given their similarity to the extracellular matrix and biocompatibility. However, the challenge of cross-linking gelatin while preserving its biocompatibility and cost-effectiveness persists. This study aimed to enhance the properties of gelatin by incorporating the oxidized lignosulfonate (OLS) biopolymer as an inexpensive and biocompatible natural material. The polyphenolic structure of OLS acts as both a cross-linking agent and an antibacterial component. The OLS/gelatin films were prepared using a casting method with varying weight ratios (0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5 w/w). FTIR analysis confirmed the formation of Schiff-base and hydrogen bonds between gelatin and OLS. The resulting films exhibited enhanced mechanical properties (Young's modulus ∼40 MPa), no cytotoxicity, and excellent cell adhesion and morphology. Antimicrobial tests showed significant activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, with higher activity against S. aureus (17 mm inhibition zone and 99 % bactericidal rate). In vivo studies in a mouse model demonstrated that the gelatin/0.2OLS dressing significantly improved wound healing, including re-epithelialization, collagen formation, inflammation reduction, and blood vessel density, compared to untreated wounds. These findings suggest that the synthesized novel gelatin/OLS wound dressing has promising healing and antibacterial properties. [Display omitted]