Chronic wounds are
characterized by an increased bacterial presence,
alkaline pH, and excessive wound drainage. Hydrogel biomaterials composed
of the carbohydrate polymer chitosan are advantageous for wound healing
applications because of their innate antimicrobial and hemostatic
properties. Here, genipin-cross-linked–chitosan hydrogels were
synthesized and characterized, and their in vitro and in vivo performances were evaluated as a viable
wound dressing. Characterization studies demonstrate that the developed
chitosan–genipin hydrogels were able to neutralize an environmental
pH, while averaging ∼230% aqueous solution uptake, demonstrating
their use as a perfusive wound dressing. Bacterial activity studies
demonstrate the hydrogels’ ability to hinder Escherichia
coli growth by ∼70%, while remaining biocompatible in vitro to fibroblast and keratinocyte cells. Furthermore,
chitosan–genipin hydrogels promote an enhanced immune response
and cellular proliferation in induced pressure wounds in mice. All
together, these results reflect the potential of the developed hydrogels
to be used as a proactive wound dressing.
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