Nano Calcium Oxide Incorporated Hydrocolloid Dressings for Wound Care

The study aimed to formulate hydrocolloid dressings incorporated with nano calcium oxide for effective wound healing. Hydrocolloid dressings create an insulated, moist environment in the wound bed for controlling the exudate and promoting autolytic debridement. Calcium ions play an important role in wound response and are considered to be an initial trigger in our immune response to healing, and research has shown that Ca2+ in the external medium is essential for wound repair. Seventy five parts per million of nano calcium oxide (NCO) obtained by thermal decomposition of calcium nitrate at 450 °C was used in the preparation of hydrocolloid dressings along with varying concentrations of micronized xanthan gum and HPMC. The dressings were evaluated for their surface characteristics, thickness, mechanical properties, folding endurance, pH, viscosity, swelling studies, water vapor transmission, and in vivo wound healing activity. The average particle size of NCO was found to be 307.8 nm. The SEM (scanning electron microscopy) analysis of the dressing revealed a porous surface and EDX (energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy) characterization showed intense peaks of calcium and oxygen. The formulated dressings possessed uniform thickness, flexibility, and mechanical strength. The percentage of wound contraction was higher in wounds treated with formulated hydrocolloid dressings in comparison to standard commercial product (DuoDERM® hydrocolloid dressing) and control (untreated) group. The wound healing properties of hydrocolloid dressings were confirmed by histopathological analysis. Nano calcium incorporated hydrocolloid dressings with enhanced wound healing activity were developed successfully.