Preparation and evaluation of chitosan/alginate porous microspheres/Bletilla striata polysaccharide composite hemostatic sponges

We prepared a novel hemostatic material using chitosan (CS), alginate, and Bletilla striata, which showed good biocompatibility and hemostatic properties. Alginate-calcium porous microspheres (Alg) were prepared by emulsification/cross-linking methods, and Bletilla striata polysaccharide (Bsp) was extracted from the tubers by water extraction and alcohol precipitation. To improve the water absorption and accelerate the blood coagulation, Alg and Bsp were mixed with chitosan solution to form CS/Alg and CS/Alg/Bsp composite sponges by lyophilization. Based on SEM images, the microspheres exhibited good spherical shape, possessed many pores on the surface, and were well dispersed in the CS/Alg5 and CS/Alg10 composite sponges. The CS/Alg10 composite sponges showed higher water absorption and porosity. In addition, the cytotoxicity assay and hemostatic property of the CS/Alg and CS/Alg/Bsp composite sponges were tested by CCK-8 assay, in vitro blood clotting, red blood cell (RBC) adhesion, and rabbit ear artery bleeding. These ternary composite sponges could be used as potential novel hemostatic materials in surgical treatment.