The preparation and in vivo evaluation of the wound-healing properties of chitosan microspheres

Chitosan isa biopolymer which can be considered for its potentially useful properties in the pharmaceutical field. This paper describes the preparatio n and in vitro/in vivo testing of microparticulate pharmaceutical systems c omposed of chitosan and designed as powders for topical use with wound-heal ing properties. Blank and drug-loaded chitosan microspheres were prepared b y means of a spray-drying technique. A broad-spectrum antibiotic ampicillin , was chosen as the model drug. The microparticles obtained were characteri zed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), particle size analysis drug cont ent and in-vitro drug release. Once the characteristics had been determined , they were evaluated in vivo for their wound-healing properties in Albino rats. The results obtained showed that both drug-loaded and drug-empty spra y-dried particles presente good wound-healing properties, thus leading Co r apid cicatrization.