Mechanical, bioadhesive strength and biological evaluations of Chitosan films for wound dressing

Purpose. To investigate the suitability of chitosan films prepared using tw o different solvents, acetic acid (Chitosan-AA) and lactic acid (Chitosan-L A), for wound dressing, in comparison with a commercial preparation, Omider m(R). Methods. The mechanical and in-vitro bioadhesive strength properties of Chitosan-AA, Chitosan-LA, and Omiderm(R) were investigated using texture analyzer equipment. The vapour permeability of chitosan films was determin ed using a method for evaluation of moisture permeability of containers and packaging material described in USP XXII. In addition, the biological eval uations were performed via primary skin irritation, intracutaneous, and sys temic injection tests. Results. The three preparations differed significant ly in terms of the mechanical and bioadhesive strength properties. Chitosan -LA exhibited a lower tensile strength, but more flexible and bioadhesive t han Chitosan-AA. Chitosan film was found to be permeable to water vapour. C hitosan-LA and Omiderm(R) were non-irritant and did not cause any skin alle rgic reaction. In contrast, Chitosan-AA films inflicted adverse skin reacti ons. Nevertheless, no gross sign of toxicity was encountered from the syste mic injection of the extracts of the three preparations. Conclusion. Chitos an films demonstrated significantly different mechanical and bioadhesive st rength properties from Omiderm. Chitosan-LA was more soft, flexible, pliabl e and bioadhesive when compared to Chitosan-AA films. Furthermore, Chitosan -LA did not cause erythema, edema and systemic toxicity. Hence, Chitosan-LA film is suitable to be used in the management of wound healing and skin bu rn.