Physicochemical Evaluation of L-Ascorbic Acid and Aloe vera-Containing Polymer Materials Designed as Dressings for Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Abstract

Hydrogels belong to the group of polymers that are more and more often considered as innovative dressing materials. It is important to develop materials showing the most advantageous properties from the application viewpoint wherein in the case of hydrogels, the type and the amount of the crosslinking agent strongly affect their properties. In this work, PVP-based hydrogels containing Aloe vera juice and L-ascorbic acid were obtained via UV-induced polymerization. Next, their surface morphology (via both optical, digital and scanning electron microscope), sorption capacity, tensile strength, and elongation were characterized. Their structure was analyzed via FT-IR spectroscopy wherein their impact on the simulated body liquids was verified via regular pH and temperature measurements of these liquids during hydrogels’ incubation. It was demonstrated that as the amount of the crosslinker increased, the polymer structure was more wrinkled. Next, hydrogels showed relatively smooth and only slightly rough surface, which was probably due to the fact that the modifiers filled also the outer pores of the materials. Hydrogels demonstrated buffering properties in all incubation media, wherein during the incubation the release of Aloe vera juice probably took place as evidenced by the decrease in the pH of the incubation media and the disappearance of the absorption band deriving from the polysaccharides included in the composition of this additive. Next, it was proved that as the amount of the crosslinker increased, hydrogels’ crosslinking density increased and thus their swelling ratio decreased. Hydrogels obtained using a crosslinking agent with higher average molecular weight showed higher swelling ability than the materials synthesized using crosslinker with lower average molecular weight. Moreover, as the amount of the crosslinking agent increased, the tensile strength of hydrogels as well as their percentage elongation also increased.

Acknowledging the use of botanicals to treat diabetic foot ulcer during the 21st century: A systematic review

“…The hydrogels generated with a higher average molecular weight crosslinking agent demonstrated greater swelling ability than materials prepared with a lower average molecular weight crosslinking agent. Furthermore, as the amount of crosslinking agent grew, so did the tensile strength and % elongation of the hydrogels[ 48 ]. The experiments were carried out on three types of diabetic rats: Non-diabetic (ND), type I (IDDM), and type II (NIDDM).…”

Development of Photosensitive Hydrogel-based 3-dimensional Bioprinting Using Locally Extracted Pectin From Durian Rind Waste and Cellulose for Pharmaceutical Application

“…Additional measurements must be coupled with the rheological data in this case to account for contributions from other structure elements. It was critical to use techniques like as optical, thermal, dielectric, and others in conjunction with rheological data (28).…”

Preliminary Evaluation of Poly-(Sorbitol-Co-Citrate Adipate) Properties for Application as Biomaterial

“…After 5 days, sample A reached pH 3.29, B 2.42 and C 2.01. Table 4 summarizes the results obtained [20,21]. It can therefore be concluded from the distilled water tests, tests in distilled water with PBS buffer and the atmospheric humidity exposure test, that there is a hydrophilic polymer in all the polymer compositions evaluated.…”