Wound Healing Performance in a Moist Environment of Crystalline Glucose/Mannose Film as a New Dressing Material Using a Rat Model: Comparing with Medical-Grade Wound Dressing and Alginate

Abstract

Although medical wound dressings produced using hydrocolloids and alginate were effective in wound healing, adhesion at the wound site and the resulting delayed healing have been a problem. As a new wound dressing material, crystalline wound dressings produced from glucose/mannose were used in this study, which aimed to clarify the properties, adhesion reduction, and wound healing performance of a new wound dressing. Crystalline glucose/mannose films were obtained via alkali treatment using the solution casting method. The structure of the crystalline glucose/mannose films was analogous to the cellulose II polymorph, and the crystallinity decreased with time in hydrated conditions. The crystalline glucose/mannose films had adequate water absorption of 34 × 10^-4 g/mm³ for 5 min. These allowed crystalline glucose/mannose films to remove excess wound exudates while maintaining a moist wound healing condition. This in vivo study demonstrated the healing effects of three groups, which were crystalline glucose/mannose group > alginate group > hydrocolloid group. At 1 week, the crystalline glucose/mannose group was also found to be non-adhesive to the portion of wound healing. This was evidenced by the earlier onset of the healing process, which assisted in re-epithelization and promotion of collagen formation and maturation. These results implied that crystalline glucose/mannose films were a promising candidate that could accelerate the wound healing process, compared with medical-grade wound dressing and alginate.

Keywords: adhesion; glucose/mannose; moist therapy; skin regeneration; wound dressings; wound healing.

Figure 1

XRD patterns of (a) dry G/M and G/M in different soaking time intervals of (b) 3 min, (c) 10 min, (d) 1 week, and (e) 2 weeks.

Figure 2

MALDI-TOF MS spectrum of G/M film.

Figure 3

Change in water absorption of G/M film with soaking time at 37 °C.

Figure 4

Water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) of (□) G/M and (◇) G/M with secondary dressing over 7 days at 37 °C. Notice: the mark of ○ shows water evaporation under the same conditions.

Figure 5

Surface roughness of G/M at different soaking intervals of 0, 3, and 10 min.

Figure 6

Adhesion status of dressing groups to the wound area and surrounding skin at 1 week.

Figure 7

Macroscopic observations of wound status of each dressing group at 0, 1, and 2 weeks post-surgery.

Figure 8

Residual wound area of each dressing group at 1 and 2 weeks. (a–c) represent hydrocolloid, alginate, and G/M groups, respectively. Notice: Complete wound closure (0 + 0.1%) in (b,c) groups at 2 weeks.

Figure 9

Staining images of the regenerated tissues in each group at 1 and 2 weeks: (A) HE staining of regenerated and surrounding tissues at 4× magnification. (B) HE and MT staining of 1 week regenerated tissue at 20× magnification. (C) HE and MT staining of 2 weeks regenerated tissue at 20× magnification. The symbols of ○, ▽, △, ◇ in HE staining images and ↑ represent lymphocytes, macrophages, neutrophils, fibroblasts, and new blood vessels.

Figure 9

Staining images of the regenerated tissues in each group at 1 and 2 weeks: (A) HE staining of regenerated and surrounding tissues at 4× magnification. (B) HE and MT staining of 1 week regenerated tissue at 20× magnification. (C) HE and MT staining of 2 weeks regenerated tissue at 20× magnification. The symbols of ○, ▽, △, ◇ in HE staining images and ↑ represent lymphocytes, macrophages, neutrophils, fibroblasts, and new blood vessels.

Figure 10

PSR staining of regenerated tissues in each group at 1 and 2 weeks post-surgery.

Figure 11

Number of blood vessels at regenerated tissue region in each group at 1 and 2 weeks: (a) hydrocolloid group, (b) alginate group, and (c) G/M group.

Figure 12

Images and illustrations of the application of hydrocolloid, alginate, and G/M dressing to skin defects.