Antibiotic-Loaded Psyllium Husk Hemicellulose and Gelatin-Based Polymeric Films for Wound Dressing Application

Woundinfectionsareoneofthemajorreasonsforthedelayinthehealingofchronic
wounds andcanbeovercomebydevelopingeffectivewounddressingscapableofabsorbingexudate,
providinglocalantibioticrelease,andimprovingpatientcomfort.Arabinoxylan(AX)isamajorhemi-
cellulose presentinpsylliumseedhusk(PSH)andexhibitspromisingcharacteristicsfordeveloping
film dressings.Herein,AX-gelatin(GL)filmswerepreparedbyblendingAX,gelatin(GL),glycerol,
and gentamicin(antibiotic).Initially,theoptimalquantitiesofAX,GL,andglycerolforpreparing
transparent,bubble-free,smooth,andfoldableAX-GLfilmswerefound.Physiochemical,thermal,
morphological, drugrelease,andantibacterialcharacteristicsoftheAX-GLfilmswereevaluated
to investigatetheirsuitabilityaswounddressings.Thefindingssuggestedthatthemechanical,
water vaportransmission,morphological,andexpansioncharacteristicsoftheoptimizedAX-GL
films werewithintherequiredrangeforwounddressing.TheresultsofFourier-transforminfrared
(FTIR) analysessuggestedchemicalcompatibilityamongtheingredientsofthefilms.In in vitro
drugreleaseandantibacterialactivityexperiments,gentamicin(GM)-loadedAX-GLfilmsreleased
approximately89%oftheGMin24handexhibitedbetterantibacterialactivitythanstandardGM
solution. TheseresultssuggestthatAX-GLfilmscouldserveasapromisingdressingtoprotect
against woundinfections.