Chitosan-Based Bioactive Hemostatic Agents with Antibacterial Properties—Synthesis and Characterization

Abstract

Massive blood loss is responsible for numerous causes of death. Hemorrhage may occur on the battlefield, at home or during surgery. Commercially available biomaterials may be insufficient to deal with excessive bleeding. Therefore novel, highly efficient hemostatic agents must be developed. The aim of the following research was to obtain a new type of biocompatible chitosan-based hemostatic agents with increased hemostatic properties. The biomaterials were obtained in a quick and efficient manner under microwave radiation using l-aspartic and l-glutamic acid as crosslinking agents with no use of acetic acid. Ready products were investigated over their chemical structure by FT-IR method which confirmed a crosslinking process through the formation of amide bonds. Their high porosity above 90% and low density (below 0.08 g/cm3) were confirmed. The aerogels were also studied over their water vapor permeability and antioxidant activity. Prepared biomaterials were biodegradable in the presence of human lysozyme. All of the samples had excellent hemostatic properties in contact with human blood due to the platelet activation confirmed by blood clotting tests. The SEM microphotographs showed the adherence of blood cells to the biomaterials’ surface. Moreover, they were biocompatible with human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs). The biomaterials also had superior antibacterial properties against both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The obtained results showed that proposed chitosan-based hemostatic agents have great potential as a hemostatic product and may be applied under sterile, as well as contaminated conditions, by both medicals and individuals.

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Thermo-Sensitive Sol–Gel Anti-Adhesion Agent after Gynecologic Surgery

“…The hydrophilic PEG block of poloxamer has mucoadhesive properties so that it can be maintained without dislocation from the applied area [ 22 , 23 ]. In addition to poloxamer, Mediclore contains gelatin and chitosan, which ensure stable attachment to the surgical field and have hemostatic and antibacterial effects [ 24 , 25 , 26 ]. Biocompatibilities of poloxamer, chitosan, and gelatin have been demonstrated for a long time through preclinical and clinical studies.…”

New Opportunity to Formulate Intranasal Vaccines and Drug Delivery Systems Based on Chitosan

“…The procoagulant mechanism of chitosan is not yet well-established, but most studies have concluded that positively charged amino groups of chitosan interact with negatively charged blood thrombocytes [ 83 ] and erythrocytes [ 83 , 84 ], leading to red blood cell agglutination and the stopping of bleeding [ 85 ]. In vitro studies have shown that chitosan induces blood clotting, even when heparin is present in the blood, indicating that its hemostatic action is independent of clotting factors [ 42 ].…”

“…Chitosan with a higher molecular weight contains a larger number of amino groups and the hemostatic effect is thus improved [ 85 ]. Its combination with other hemostatic substances can increase the clotting capacity, achieving a synergistic hemostatic effect [ 83 ].…”

“…This action is due to free amino groups that have the ability to scavenge free radicals. Its antioxidant ability decreases with a decreasing number of amino groups, through chemical changes of chitosan [ 83 ].…”

“…The test results showed that the collagen/chitosan complex had a greater ability to reduce the concentration of malonic dialdehyde and increase the activity of superoxide dismutase; in conclusion, when combining the two substances, a synergistic effect is obtained [ 88 ]. The same synergistic effect is obtained by linking chitosan with amino acids, which have their own free amino groups and thus increase the ability to clean free radicals [ 83 ].…”