Sulfonated, quaternized, and chlorogenic acid composited sodium alginate hydrogels/Eucommia ulmoides rubber films as in vitro antibacterial wound dressings for accelerating wound healing

It is important to improve antibacterial properties and maintain desirable humidity of wound dressings. Herein, novel antibacterial wound dressings were prepared. Sulfonated SA, quaternized SA, and chlorogenic acid composited SA hydrogels were used and coated on Eucommia ulmoides rubber (EUR) films. These hydrogels were characterized by FTIR, SEM, zeta potential, swelling behavior and rheology. Moreover, the biocompatibility of the hydrogels was studied by fibroblast cells (L929). Then, the mechanical property and water vapor permeability of wound dressings were tested. Meanwhile, the drug release behavior of the wound dressings was determined by the Korsmeyer-Peppas model and their antibacterial effects on E. coli and S. aureus were studied. Finally, wound healing performance was evaluated by mouse full-thickness wounds model. After 11 days, the wound healing rates in the treatment groups can reach more than 90%, in particular, CGA-SA/EUR group had the highest healing rate of 98%. The results from histopathological observation and immunohistochemical staining showed these wound dressings could effectively promote the wound regeneration and repairing, indicating the wound dressings can be potentially used for accelerating wound healing.