Tetracycline hydrochloride loaded citric acid functionalized chitosan hydrogel for wound healing

Abstract

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 <i>in vitro</i> degradation were found to be tunable <i>via</i> 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 <i>via</i> CC concentration. The drug loaded CC hydrogel showed enhanced antimicrobial activity against <i>E. coli</i> and <i>S. aureus</i>. 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.