Scar free healing mediated by the release of aloe vera and manuka honey from dextran bionanocomposite wound dressings

Int J Biol Macromol. 2018 Dec;120(Pt B):1581-1590. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2018.09.124. Epub 2018 Sep 21.

Abstract

Scar preventive dextran based bionanocomposite dressings containing aloe vera (AV) and manuka honey (MH) were developed as wound care devices. This work was a challenge to fabricate herbal dressing that promotes healing, which at the same time is biocompatible, non-toxic, biodegradable, and cost effective in terms of the simplicity of application in complex chronic wound situations. With this aim, we synthesized in-situ crosslinked dextran/nanosoy/glycerol/chitosan (DNG/Ch) nanocomposite membranes via solvent casting technique followed by subsequent addition of AV and MH to obtain DNG/Ch/AV and DNG/Ch/MH herbal dressings. The drug release kinetics of the bionanocomposite dressings indicated an initial burst release of AV and MH, followed by controlled release when examined in-vitro using non-fickian and quasi-fickian model. Antibacterial studies confirmed >99% antibacterial activity against both Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) and bacterial adherence test demonstrated its efficacy for arresting microbial invasion. Wound healing analysis conducted in-vivo showed enhanced epithelialization in the terms scar prevention and aesthetics with absolute wound contraction for the mice treated with AV loaded dressings after 14th post wounding day. Histological features displayed ordered deposition of collagen with a thin epidermis layer. Hence, the present herbal dressing could function without many cytotoxicity and biocompatibility issues.

Keywords: Aloe vera; Dextran; Manuka honey.

MeSH terms

  • Aloe / chemistry*
  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Bacterial Adhesion
  • Bandages / microbiology
  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry*
  • Biocompatible Materials / pharmacology*
  • Dextrans / chemistry*
  • Drug Liberation
  • Honey*
  • Leptospermum*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Permeability
  • Steam
  • Tensile Strength
  • Wound Healing / drug effects*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Dextrans
  • Steam