Preparação e caracterização de membranas de quitosana e mPEG-PCL para recobrimento de feridas e liberação controlada de gentamicina

Abstract

It is currently of great interest to the manufacture of new materials for covering skin wounds. Chitosan (QUIT) is a functional material for its biodegradability characteristics, biocompatibility and non-toxicity. Furthermore, it can accelerate wound healing and hemostatic and bactericidal shown. Polycaprolactone (PCL) is a polyester with consistent properties and biodegradability, found in various biomedical applications such as controlled drug release. Methoxy polyethylene glycol copolymer (mPEG) and PCL, mPEG-PCL, is a biodegradable amphiphilic copolymer, making possible the interaction of PCL (hydrophobic) with QUIT which is hydrophilic. Gentamicin (GE) also hydrophilic, is one of the most widely used antibiotics due to its low cost and good stability. In this research were prepared QUIT membranes with mPEG-PCL and GE, which were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), colorimetry, look in the infrared (FTIR), thermogravimetry (TG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) humidity and percentage of swelling. Furthermore, GE release assays and in vitro antimicrobial activity were conducted using Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The uniform distribution of the mPEG-PCL copolymer QUIT matrix and the presence of GE on their surface were observed in the SEM micrographs and tested by FTIR. Moreover, there was no significant change in color L membrane, which showed translucent, important property for wound coverings. DSC was obtained intermediate melting temperatures, comparing with the QUIT and mPEG-PCL, but higher than body temperature (37⁰C). The TG showed weight loss of membranes at temperatures above 37⁰C. The membranes were capable of absorbing buffer simulating the exuded fluids from the wound and had about 15% moisture. In the antimicrobial activity test, we observed inhibition halo around the charged membranes with GE, which had a lower initial release in the membrane with the highest concentration of mPEG-PCL in vitro release test.