Microwave-Treated Physically Cross-Linked Sodium Alginate and Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose Blend Polymer Film for Open Incision Wound Healing in Diabetic Animals—A Novel Perspective for Skin Tissue Regeneration Application

Abstract

This study aimed at developing the microwave-treated, physically cross-linked polymer blend film, optimizing the microwave treatment time, and testing for physicochemical attributes and wound healing potential in diabetic animals. Microwave-treated and untreated films were prepared by the solution casting method and characterized for various attributes required by a wound healing platform. The optimized formulation was tested for skin regeneration potential in the diabetes-induced open-incision animal model. The results indicated that the optimized polymer film formulation (MB-3) has significantly enhanced physicochemical properties such as high moisture adsorption (154.6 ± 4.23%), decreased the water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) value of (53.0 ± 2.8 g/m2/h) and water vapor permeability (WVP) value (1.74 ± 0.08 g mm/h/m2), delayed erosion (18.69 ± 4.74%), high water uptake, smooth and homogenous surface morphology, higher tensile strength (56.84 ± 1.19 MPa), and increased glass transition temperature and enthalpy (through polymer hydrophilic functional groups depicting efficient cross-linking). The in vivo data on day 16 of post-wounding indicated that the wound healing occurred faster with significantly increased percent re-epithelialization and enhanced collagen deposition with optimized MB-3 film application compared with the untreated group. The study concluded that the microwave-treated polymer blend films have sufficiently enhanced physical properties, making them an effective candidate for ameliorating the diabetic wound healing process and hastening skin tissue regeneration.

Bioarchitectural Design of Bioactive Biopolymers: Structure–Function Paradigm for Diabetic Wound Healing

“…In a recent study, researchers formulated a blend of physically crosslinked sodium alginate and carboxymethyl cellulose film, aiming to enhance water retention, slow degradation, and improve mechanical strength. These attributes promoted efficient gaseous exchange between the diabetic wound bed and the surroundings, leading to increased collagen deposition, re-epithelialization, and accelerated wound closure in a diabetic rat model [79]. The structural similarity of alginate to wound tissue ECM makes them an attractive wound healing material, especially for treating and managing diabetic wounds [80,81].…”

State of Innovation in Alginate-Based Materials

“…Polymers with charge density can be mucoadhesive agents [ 164 , 165 , 166 ]. Polyanionic polymers are reportedly more effective as bioadhesives than polycation polymers or nonionic polymers [ 164 ].…”

“…Therefore, alginate with carboxylic groups is a promising mucoadhesive agent. Compared to chitosan, polylactic acid, carboxymethyl cellulose alginate has the highest mucoadhesive strength [ 165 ]. Although alginate is successfully used in many applications in food, cosmetics, dentistry, and medicine, the form of calcium alginate has its limitations.…”

TiB2-Derived Nanosheets Enhance the Tensile Strength and Controlled Drug Release of Biopolymeric Films Used in Wound Healing

“…Different biopolymers, such as alginate, chitosan, carboxymethyl cellulose, and hyaluronic acid have already been studied comprehensively in wound healing. ,− Alginate is an immensely explored biopolymer in the field of tissue engineering. − It is commonly used for wound dressing because of its biocompatibility, easy availability, and cost-effectiveness . Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), a semisynthetic biopolymer, has been used because of its moisture sorption properties and biocompatibility. − A wound dressing material should be able to absorb the exudate to prevent wound infection. Hence, CMC plays a vital role in preventing the infection .…”