Synergistic effects of arginine and tannic acid on chitosan matrices: An approach for hemostatic sponge development

This study presents the development of a novel multifunctional hydrogel biocomposite sponge designed to address the complexities of wound healing, including rapid hemostasis, infection prevention, and tissue regeneration. Recognizing the limitations of conventional wound dressings that lack multifunctionality, this study introduces a 3D chitosan/tannic acid (CS/TA) hydrogel. After testing three chitosan/tannic acid (CS/TA) ratios, CS/TA-1 (1:0.16), CS/TA-2 (1:0.25), and CS/TA-3 (1:0.34), the most effective formulation, CS/TA-2, was enhanced with sodium alginate (SA) and arginine (Arg) for optimal performance. Arginine, with its guanidinium functional group, served as a green crosslinker through physical interactions, enhancing the sponge's mechanical strength while also improving its hemostatic performance and biocompatibility, promoting cellular interactions. Its inclusion significantly amplified antioxidant activity (>90 %), mitigating oxidative stress and contributing to enhanced therapeutic outcomes. Ionic crosslinking and freeze-drying created a porous, absorbent sponge with high water retention and compression resilience. SEM confirmed the sponge's interconnected porosity, enabling cell infiltration and nutrient exchange. Blood Clotting Index (BCI) assessments demonstrated the hemostatic effectiveness of CS/TA/SA/Arg-3, with 25 % BCI at 5 min and 20 % at 15 min, along with excellent hemocompatibility, achieving a 2.08 % hemolysis rate. These results suggest the hydrogel sponge's potential for effective wound management in emergencies and clinical applications.