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Wound healing is a complex biochemical process and may be promoted by moist wound dressings, which helps in maintaining a suitable micro-environment favorable for migration and proliferation of fibroblast cells. Chitosan has been used by many researchers to develop various wound healing products. The current study deals with the development of chitosan-poly (vinyl alcohol) blended membrane and chitosan-hydroxyapatite composite membrane. The membranes were prepared using lactic acid as solvent. The developed membranes were characterized for their mechanical strength hemocompatibility. Membranes demonstrated significantly different mechanical strength and hemocompatibilty. Further, preliminary results indicated that the developed membranes could be tried as wound dressing materials. The afore-mentioned membranes were used as wound dressing materials for the treatment of surgically induced wounds in matured Sprague-Dawley rats. The wound healing results indicated that the healing rate was faster with the chitosan-hydroxyapatite membrane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Though chitosan hydrogels have shown potential for numerous tissue regeneration applications, its insolubility above pH 6.0 have greatly limited applicability in encapsulation of live cells and pH sensitive bioactive agents. In this report an approach to overcome this limitation was tested with phosphorylated derivative of chitosan, N-methylene phosphonic chitosan (NMPC). NMPC is also known to possess efficacious gene delivery, biomineralization, and osteoinduction properties. NMPC hydrogels were synthesized by cross-linking NMPC with either glutaraldehyde (NMPC-GLU) or genipin (NMPC-GEN). An increase in pH from 3.0 to 6.8 reduced gelation time with both the agents, with the reduction more pronounced in NMPC-GLU. The results correlated with the reaction mechanisms of both agents with NMPC. Further NMPC-GEN gels demonstrated higher elastic modulus and compressive strength values. Cell culture studies showed higher cell proliferation on NMPC-GEN compared to NMPC-GLU. [Supplementary materials are available for this article. Go to the Publisher's online edition ofSoft Materialsfor the following free supplemental resource(s): Supporting information of Pallab Datta et al.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, chitosan, a biocompatible natural polymer, having a cellulosic backbone has gained importance in various biomedical applications like wound healing, tissue engineering, surface modifications of implantable devices, and drug delivery. This may be attributed to the versatile chemistry of the polymer. Various chitosan-mediated delivery systems have been developed to improve the bioavailability of drug(s) and be categorized either as nanoparticulate, microparticulate, or macro delivery systems. All these delivery systems have their own advantages and limitation as a delivery vehicle. This review gives an overview of the chitosan-based drug delivery systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The applications of composite films in wound healing are immense, and the quest for suitable biomaterials drives research. Natural polymers lack mechanical strength; by cross-linking, their chemical nature can be changed through interlinking via intermolecular interactions rather than chemical bonds. This study explores the applications of cross-linked chitosan–polyvinyl alcohol–genipin films prepared using the solvent casting method. The cross-linked films were analyzed for their chemical structural changes, structural morphology, mechanical strength, and water retention capabilities. Comparative studies were performed with the un-crosslinked counterparts. Results indicated an increased tensile strength of 67.2% and improved water retention because of their compact structure. Further, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed that cross-linking occurred in the films, and scanning electron microscope micrographs showed that the films were uniform with a continuous morphology. Thereafter, an in vivo study was performed to assess the effectiveness of the films on wounds made on Albino Wistar rats. Histopathological analysis indicated quick fibroblast generation and angiogenesis using the cross-linked films, affirming their suitability for wound healing applications. [Display omitted] • Chitosan-PVA-Genipin cross-linked films were prepared using the solvent-casting method. • The c films were analyzed for chemical structural changes, structural morphology, mechanical strength, and water retention capacities. • The cross-linked films were assessed in-vivo for their wound healing properties on Albino Wistar rats. • Results confirm cross-linking and present excellent mechanical and water retention properties of the cross-linked films. • The films induced accelerated healing, quick fibroblast generation and angiogenesis, affirming their suitability for wound healing applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]