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Biological superabsorbent hydrogels based on Curdlan to control infectious wounds
Biological superabsorbent hydrogels based on Curdlan to control infectious wounds
Sorosh Shams,1fatemeh haghdoost,2,*
1. Department of Regenerative Medicine and Biotechnology in Wound Healing, Laser Research Center, Yara Institute 2. Department of Regenerative Medicine and Biotechnology in Wound Healing, Laser Research Center, Yara Institute
Introduction: Wounds caused by disease, trauma and accidents are a common clinical problem. So far, many dressings have been developed and have achieved good results. The design of these dressings mainly focuses on providing a closed environment to prevent bacterial infections and promote the reproduction of cells associated with distinctive properties that are useful for wound healing.
Superabsorbent dressings absorb and retain large amounts of wound exudate, which is crucial in infected wounds that produce excessive fluid. This management prevents leakage, reduces maceration of surrounding skin, and maintains an optimal moist environment that supports healing
Methods: Natural polymers (or biopolymers) have been introduced with high biomass, biodegradability and extensive access, so they are widely used to produce wound dressings. In addition, it is well known that natural polymers provide a favorable environment for cellular migration and support the process of wound healing. Among the various beta-glucan, the beta-3-3-linen-gulkan (Curdlan), produced by a strain of Alcaligenes Faecalis, has been particularly considered due to lack of toxicity, disinfection and ulcer healing ability. This exopolysaccharide is soluble in alkaline solutions and insoluble in water.
Curdlan-based biomaterials can be modified or combined with antioxidant compounds to scavenge ROS directly, helping to maintain redox balance (redox homeostasis) in the wound microenvironment. This prevents ROS-induced oxidative stress and cellular damage, which are common in chronic wounds with prolonged inflammation.
Curdlan inherently promotes immunomodulation by stimulating macrophages and other immune cells, which can help regulate the inflammatory response and reduce excessive ROS production. It attenuates pro-inflammatory cytokines, thereby limiting ongoing oxidative stress
Results: They have a highly porous foam-like structure that transforms into a soft gel upon contact with wound fluid, functioning similar to hydrocolloid dressings. This structure allows them to absorb approximately 15 ml of exudate per gram of biomaterial, showing superb superabsorbent capacity with a swelling ratio up to 974–1229% after 24 hours in simulated wound fluid.
Their water vapor transmission rates (around 1700–2000 g/m²/day) support an optimal moist wound healing environment by allowing moisture balance.
Curdlan-based hydrogels can release calcium ions, which are beneficial for promoting fibroblast viability and proliferation in the wound bed, thus supporting healing.
These biomaterials are stable under conditions mimicking infected wounds (e.g., collagenase-resistant) but biodegradable in lysozyme solutions, showing appropriate biodegradation profiles for wound environments.
Conclusion: Curdlan-based superabsorbent biomaterials have been explored as highly promising wound dressings for absorbing wound secretions, especially for chronic wounds with moderate to high exudate.