Chitosan based Polyelectrolyte Complexes containing Metal Oxide Bioglass Nanoparticles for Wound healing

Abstract

Skin injuries are increasing worldwide due to accidents, surgical procedures, diabetic ulcers, venous ulcers, trauma and burns. The consequence of skin injuries relays a non-healing ulcer and a critical health risk factor to the human body. This indicates the need for the expansion of novel therapeutics in this area. Wound healing is a complex biological process associated with tissue growth and regeneration controlled by various biochemical and cellular mechanisms. It consists of five interrelated phases namely hemostasis, inflammation, migration, proliferation and maturation. For successful wound healing, these phases must be performed in order with an adequate period for each phase. Therefore, wound healing materials to support and improve the wound healing process by maintaining a suitable environment for the regrowth of the injured tissue play a major role in the treatment of a wound. A perfect wound healing material should be biocompatible, nontoxic, nonallergic, capable to maintain a moist atmosphere, enhance oxygen exchange, defend the wound from microbes and engrossing wound exudates. Since oxygen is involved in multiple wound healing processes including the oxidative killing of bacteria, reepithelialization, angiogenesis and collagen synthesis, wound dressings with adequate oxygen-permeability could play a crucial role in wound healing. In recent years, polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) formed by blending chitosan with other anionic biopolymers have received much interest as wound healing materials due to their unique physicochemical and biological properties. Though chitosan-based PECs showed many desired properties, still they possess reduced mechanical strength, uncontrolled water uptake, rapid biodegradation, poor antimicrobial activity and cell migration ability, which limits their practical applications in the wound healing process. To overcome these limitations, over the past few years, considerable efforts have been taken.