Bromelain Loading and Release from a Hydrogel Formulated Using Alginate and Arabic Gum

Abstract

An ideal wound dressing ensures a moist environment around the wound area and absorbs exudates from the wound surface. Topical application of bromelain to incised wounds has been shown to reprogram the wound microenvironment to promote effective tissue repair. Combining the characteristics of hydrogels and bromelain is therefore of great interest. Herein, we describe the development of a hydrogel, formulated using alginate and Arabic gum, for bromelain loading and release. The hydrogel formulation was evaluated using response surface methodology, considering the pH value and the concentration of alginate and Arabic gum. Bromelain loading and release were evaluated based on passive diffusion. Differential scanning calorimetry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were performed to confirm bromelain immobilization in the hydrogel. The final hydrogel formulation had a swelling ratio of 227 % and incorporated 19 % of bromelain from a bromelain solution. Bromelain immobilization in the hydrogel was the result of hydrogen bond formation and was optimal at 4 °C after 4 h of contact. This evidence suggests that bromelain entrapment into a hydrogel is a promising strategy for the development of wound dressings that support the debridement of burns and wounds.

Bacterial Nanocellulose Loaded with Bromelain: Assessment of Antimicrobial, Antioxidant and Physical-Chemical Properties

“…S2 ). The same results were observed by 19 , when incorporating bromelain into alginate and Arabic gum hydrogel. According with suppliers, commercial steam bromelain purity is 35%, and it contains other components with high molecular weight 29 , which may be not incorporated by BNC.…”

“…According with suppliers, commercial steam bromelain purity is 35%, and it contains other components with high molecular weight 29 , which may be not incorporated by BNC. Thus, it is possible to infer that BNC, as well as the alginate and Arabic gum based hydrogel 19 , selectively absorbed low molecular weight bromelain components, which present higher enzymatic activity.

Figure 2 Protein concentration ( a ) and enzymatic activity ( b ) of released bromelain from bacterial cellulose membranes after different incorporation times at 25 °C, where error bars correspond to standard deviation.

…”

“…Proteolytic enzymes could be used as therapeutics adjuvants, due to their debridement and antimicrobial activities, facilitating tissue renewal process and accelerating ulcerated skin healing. Bromelain is a set of proteolytic enzymes found in pineapple ( Ananas comosus ) tissues such as stem, fruit and leaves, and has widespread applications, such as in the cosmetic and food industries, as well as in medicine 17 – 19 . In healthcare, bromelain has been used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, thrombophlebitis, hematomas, oral inflammation, diabetic ulcers, rectal and perirectal inflammation, wounds, inhibition of platelet aggregation, angina pectoris, bronchitis, sinusitis, surgical traumas, and pyelonephritis, and for enhancing the absorption of drugs, particularly antibiotics 18 , 20 – 22 .…”

Natural actives for wound healing: A review

“…The term bromelain is used to describe a mixture of proteolytic enzymes and nonenzymatic substances found in Bromeliaceae species, mainly in pineapple ( Ananas comosus L.) and its stem, fruit, and leaves (Maurer, ; Rathnavelu et al, ; Spir et al, ). However, the complete molecular mechanism of action of bromelain has not been completely identified, bromelain gained universal acceptability as a phytotherapeutic agent, being widely administered for its well‐recognized properties, such as its antiinflammatory, antithrombotic and fibrinolytic affects, anticancer activity, and immunomodulatory effects, in addition to being a wound healing and circulatory improvement agent (Ataide, Cefali, et al, ; Rathnavelu et al, ; de Lencastre Novaes et al, ; Lourenço et al, ; Maurer, ; Spir et al, ; Taussig & Batkin, ). In Europe, bromelain is approved for oral and topical use, mainly for surgical wounds, inflammation due to trauma and surgery, and debridement of deep burns (Muhammad & Ahmad, ).…”

“…Poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)‐co‐acrylamide hydrogels have been developed and presented an ability of loading 56% of bromelain from a bromelain solution and releasing up to 91% of the retained bromelain. Ataide et al () described a hydrogel formulation, using alginate and Arabic gum, for bromelain loading and release. The resulted hydrogel absorbed 19% of bromelain from a bromelain solution after 4 hr of contact at 4 °C, and enzyme immobilization occurred by hydrogen bond formation.…”