Active Potential of Bacterial Cellulose-Based Wound Dressing: Analysis of Its Potential for Dermal Lesion Treatment

Abstract

The use of innate products for the fast and efficient promotion of healing process has been one of the biomedical sector's main bets for lesion treatment modernization process. The aim of this study was to develop and characterize bacterial cellulose-based (BC) wound dressings incorporated with green and red propolis extract (2 to 4%) and the active compounds p-coumaric acid and biochanin A (8 to 16 mg). The characterization of the nine developed samples (one control and eight active wound dressings) evidenced that the mechanics, physics, morphological, and barrier properties depended not only on the type of active principle incorporated onto the cellulosic matrix, but also on its concentration. Of note were the results found for transparency (28.59-110.62T₆₀₀ mm^-1), thickness (0.023-0.046 mm), swelling index (48.93-405.55%), water vapor permeability rate (7.86-38.11 g m² day^-1), elongation (99.13-262.39%), and antioxidant capacity (21.23-86.76 μg mL^-1). The wound dressing based on BC and red propolis was the only one that presented antimicrobial activity. The permeation and retention test revealed that the wound dressing containing propolis extract presented the most corneal stratum when compared with viable skin. Overall, the developed wound dressing showed potential to be used for treatment against different types of dermal lesions, according to its determined proprieties.

Keywords: bacterial cellulose; biochanin A; dermal lesions; p-coumaric acid; propolis; wound dressing.

Figure A1

Graphical representation of the analytical curve obtained for p-coumaric acid by HPLC. Concentrations diluted in methanol. Equation of the straight line: y = 21,153x − 4808.4 and linear correlation coefficient: r = 0.9992.

Figure A2

Graphical representation of the analytical curve obtained for biochanin A by HPLC. Concentrations diluted in methanol. Equation of the straight line: y = 33,121x − 3286.5 and linear correlation coefficient: r = 0.9924.

Figure 1

Overview of the production steps and characterization of wound dressing based on BC and the ethanolic extract of green and red propolis, p-coumaric acid, and biochanin A. Image created with Biorender.com (accessed on 30 March 2022).

Figure 2

Visual appearance of the nine wound dressings based on pure BC or BC incorporated with active molecules: (a) F1; (b) F2; (c) F3; (d) F4; (e) F5; (f) F6; (g) F7; (h) F8; and (i) F9.

Figure 3

Scanning electron microscopy micrographs (200×) of the surface of the nine wound dressings based on pure BC or BC incorporated with active molecules: (a) F1; (b) F2; (c) F3; (d) F4; (e) F5; (f) F6; (g) F7; (h) F8; and (i) F9.

Figure 4

Optical properties of wound dressings F1 to F9: (a) transparency (T₆₀₀ mm⁻¹) (b) (Abs₅₀₀ mm⁻¹). Bars followed by the same letters ^(a,b,c,d,e) were not significantly different considering <0.05 as p value according to Tukey’s test with 95% confidence level.

Figure 5

Physical and barrier properties of wound dressings F1 to F9: (a) grammage (g cm⁻²) and (b) thickness (mm). Bars followed by the same letters ^(a,b,c) were not significantly different considering <0.05 as p value according to Tukey’s test with 95% confidence.

Figure 6

Physical and barrier properties of wound dressings F1 to F9: (a) aw; (b) water solubility (%); (c) swelling index (%); and (d) moisture content index (%). Bars followed by the same letters ^(a,b,c,d,e) were not significantly different considering <0.05 as p value, according to Tukey’s test with 95% confidence.

Figure 7

Physical and barrier properties of wound dressings F1 to F9: (a) WVTR (g m² day⁻¹) and (b) WVP (10⁻⁸ g-mm/m²-day-Pa). Bars followed by the same letters ^(a,b,c,d,e) were not significantly different considering <0.05 as p value according to Tukey test with 95% confidence level.

Figure 8

Tensile mechanical properties of wound dressings F1 to F9: (a) maximum tensile strength (Mpa) and (b) elongation (%). Bars followed by the same letters ^(a,b,c,d,e) were not significantly different considering <0.05 as p value according to Tukey’s test with 95% confidence level.

Figure 9

Determination of (a) TFC (mgEQ g⁻¹), (b) TPC (mgGAE g⁻¹), and (c) antioxidant activity (DPPH-IC₅₀ μg mL⁻¹). Values showing the same letter ^{(a,b,c,d,e,f)} in the same analysis do not show significant differences (p > 0.05) based on Tukey test at 95% confidence level.

Figure 10

Biplot analysis of PC1 × PC2 considering the PC scores (samples F1 to F9) and the characterization variables (loadings) considered for the PCA. MCI: moisture content index; MTS: maximum tensile strength; SI: swelling index: TFC: total flavonoid content; TPC: total phenolic content; WVP: water vapor permeability; WVPR: water vapor permeability rate.

Figure 11

Concentration of propolis biomarkers in the stratum corneum and viable skin in the in vitro permeation assay on pig skin after 2 h of passive application: (a) permeation of wound dressings F2 and F3 according to p-coumaric acid concentration and (b) permeation of wound dressings F4 and F5 according to biochanin A concentration. Bars represent the mean ± standard deviation of the mean of 4 determinations.