Essential Oils in Advanced Natural Gels for Better Wound Healing

Jenn Hoskins
18th August, 2024

Essential Oils in Advanced Natural Gels for Better Wound Healing

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • Researchers from Delhi Technological University developed a new wound healing film using carboxymethylated Cassia fistula gum and citric acid
  • The film, enhanced with essential oils, is biocompatible, antimicrobial, and antioxidant, making it safe and effective for wound healing
  • In tests on rats, the film achieved 99% wound healing within 14 days, significantly faster than traditional dressings
Wound healing is a critical process that restores the skin's barrier function after injury. However, this process can be hindered by various factors, leading to chronic wounds that cause significant discomfort and economic burden. Traditional wound dressings often fall short due to their inability to maintain a moist environment, poor absorption of wound fluids, and low water vapor transmission rate (WVTR)[2]. Recent research from Delhi Technological University, India, has introduced a novel solution to this problem: a carboxymethylated Cassia fistula gum (CCFG) and citric acid (CA) based wound healing film (CCFG-CA)[1]. This study aimed to develop a biocompatible, antimicrobial, and antioxidant hydrogel film for effective wound healing. The film was synthesized using the solvent casting method, with glycerol added as a plasticizing agent to enhance flexibility. The CCFG-CA film was evaluated using various techniques to confirm its morphological, thermal, and structural properties. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) provided detailed images of the film's surface, while Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) assessed its thermal stability. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to analyze the film's structural composition. These evaluations confirmed that the CCFG-CA film has the necessary properties for wound healing applications. To enhance the film's functionality, three essential oils (EO) known for their antimicrobial and antioxidant properties—rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), turmeric (Curcuma longa), and thuja (Thuja occidentalis L)—were incorporated into the CCFG-CA film, resulting in the CCFG-CA-EO film. In vitro studies, including the MTT assay, disk diffusion assay, permeability tests, and DPPH assay, confirmed the biocompatibility, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties of the CCFG-CA-EO film. The MTT assay, which measures cell viability, indicated that the film is non-toxic to cells, making it safe for use on wounds. The disk diffusion assay demonstrated the film's ability to inhibit bacterial growth, a crucial feature for preventing wound infections. The permeability tests showed that the film allows for adequate moisture exchange, maintaining a moist environment conducive to healing. The DPPH assay confirmed the film's antioxidant activity, which helps in reducing oxidative stress at the wound site. In vivo studies on Wistar rats further validated the film's effectiveness. The CCFG-CA-EO film achieved 99% wound healing and re-epithelialization within 14 days, significantly faster than traditional dressings. Histological analysis of the wound tissue confirmed the formation of new, healthy skin layers. The film's degradability within 15 days ensures that it does not need to be removed, reducing the risk of disturbing the healing tissue. Protein adsorption tests showed a value of 12.05 μg/mL, indicating that the film can effectively support cell adhesion and growth. The contact angle determination, a measure of the film's hydrophilicity, was 69.43° ± 0.48, confirming its ability to maintain a moist wound environment. The findings from this study align with and expand upon previous research in the field. For instance, hydrogels made from heparinized polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/chitosan (CS)/nano zinc oxide (nZnO) have demonstrated similar benefits, such as high water vapor permeability and antimicrobial properties[2]. Additionally, xyloglucan-poly(vinyl alcohol) based hydrogel films have shown promise in promoting bacterial retentivity and mechanical protection against bacterial infiltration[3]. The CCFG-CA-EO film builds on these advancements by incorporating essential oils, which provide additional antimicrobial and antioxidant benefits. Moreover, the study addresses the challenges of chronic wound healing, such as prolonged inflammation, poor collagen production, and oxidative stress[4]. By enhancing collagen production and capturing free radicals, the CCFG-CA-EO film offers a comprehensive solution for chronic wounds. In conclusion, the development of the CCFG-CA-EO film by Delhi Technological University represents a significant advancement in wound healing technology. Its combination of biocompatibility, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties, along with its ability to maintain a moist environment and promote rapid healing, makes it a promising candidate for clinical application. The incorporation of essential oils further enhances its effectiveness, providing a robust solution to the persistent problem of chronic wounds.

MedicineHealthBiochem

References

Main Study

1) Essential oils loaded carboxymethylated Cassia fistula gum-based novel hydrogel films for wound healing.

Published 15th August, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.134682

Related Studies

2) Incorporation of ZnO nanoparticles into heparinised polyvinyl alcohol/chitosan hydrogels for wound dressing application.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2018.04.010

3) Biocompatibility, hemocompatibility and antimicrobial properties of xyloglucan-based hydrogel film for wound healing application.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2018.10.078

4) Flexible agar-sericin hydrogel film dressing for chronic wounds.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2018.08.030


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