Chitosan-based hydrogels prepared by UV polymerization for wound dressing

Abstract

Chitosan-based hydrogels were prepared by grafting with poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA) through ultraviolet polymerization to further improve its hydrophilic nature and enhance its mechanical properties. The epidermal growth factor (EGF) was incorporated inside the hydrogels to stimulate the wound healing. The physical characterization of chitosan-PAA-pHEMA hydrogel indicates that it is highly hydrophilic with adequate properties for wound dressing purpose. The biological characterization shows that chitosan-based hydrogel retains its thrombogenic and antibacterial properties. The in vivo wound healing experiment demonstrates that the hydrogel-incorporated EGF has better wound healing rate than other dressings.