Antimicrobial sponge prepared by hydrophobically modified chitosan for bacteria removal

Progress in chitin/chitosan and their derivatives for biomedical applications: Where we stand

Chitin and its deacetylated form, chitosan, have demonstrated remarkable versatility in the realm of biomaterials. Their exceptional biocompatibility, antibacterial properties, pro- and anticoagulant characteristics, robust antioxidant capacity, and anti-inflammatory potential make them highly sought-after in various applications. This review delves into the mechanisms underlying chitin/chitosan's biological activity and provides a comprehensive overview of their derivatives in fields such as tissue engineering, hemostasis, wound healing, drug delivery, and hemoperfusion. However, despite the wealth of studies on chitin/chitosan, there exists a notable trend of homogeneity in research, which could hinder the comprehensive development of these biomaterials. This review, taking a clinician's perspective, identifies current research gaps and medical challenges yet to be addressed, aiming to pave the way for a more sustainable future in chitin/chitosan research and application.

Advancing Photodynamic Antimicrobial Strategy: Sustainable Fabrication of Novel Lauryl Gallate-Chitosan Hydrophobic Films with Rapid Bacterial Capture and Biofilms Elimination Capabilities for Promoting Wound Healing

Bioinspired photoactive composites, in terms of photodynamic inactivation, cost-effectiveness, and biosafety, are promising alternatives to antibiotics for combating bacterial infections while avoiding antibacterial resistance. However, the weak bacterial membrane affinity of the photoactive substrate and the lack of synergistic antibacterial effect remain crucial shortcomings for their antibacterial applications. Herein, we developed a hydrophobic film from food antioxidant lauryl gallate covalently functionalized chitosan (LG-g-CS conjugates) through a green radical-induced grafting reaction that utilizes synergistic bacteria capture, contact-killing, and photodynamic inactivation activities to achieve enhanced bactericidal and biofilm elimination capabilities. Besides, the grafting reaction mechanism between LG and CS in the ascorbic acid (AA)/H2O2 redox system was further proposed. The LG-g-CS films feature hydrophobic side chains and photoactive phenolic hydroxyl groups, facilitating dual bactericidal activities through bacteria capture and contact-killing via strong hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions with bacterial membranes as well as blue light (BL)-driven photodynamic bacterial eradication through the enhanced generation of reactive oxygen species. As a result, the LG-g-CS films efficiently capture and immobilize bacteria and exhibit excellent photodynamic antibacterial activity against model bacteria (Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus) and their biofilms under BL irradiation. Moreover, LG-g-CS films could significantly promote the healing process of S. aureus-infected wounds. This research demonstrates a new strategy for designing and fabricating sustainable bactericidal and biofilm-removing materials with a high bacterial membrane affinity and photodynamic activity.

Antibacterial chitosan-based composite sponge with synergistic hemostatic effect for massive haemorrhage

Uncontrollable acute bleeding and wound infection pose significant challenges in emergency treatment and surgical operations. Therefore, the research and development of highly efficient antibacterial hemostatic agents are of great importance in reducing the mortality rate among patients with massive hemorrhage. In this study, we utilized hydrophobically modified chitosan (HM-CS) and gallic acid chitosan (GA-CS) to create a composite sponge (HM/GA-CS) that exhibits complementary advantages. The composite sponge combines the alkyl chain and polyphenol structure, allowing it to adsorb blood cells and plasma proteins simultaneously. This synergistic effect was confirmed through various tests, including blood cell adhesion, plasma protein barrier behavior, and in vitro hemostatic testing. Furthermore, experiments conducted on a rat liver injury model demonstrated that the composite sponge achieved rapid coagulation within 52 s, resulting in significantly lower bleeding volume compared with traditional gauze. In addition, the incorporation of GA-CS into HM-CS enhanced the antibacterial properties of the composite sponge. The antibacterial rate of the composite sponge against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) reached 100 % and 98.2 %, respectively. To evaluate its biocompatibility, the composite sponge underwent blood compatibility and cell activity tests, confirming its suitability. The HM/GA-CS sponge holds promising applications in managing cases of massive hemorrhage.

Nitrogen-phosphorous co-doped carbonized chitosan nanoparticles for chemotherapy and ROS-mediated immunotherapy of intracellular Staphylococcus aureus infection

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) residing in host macrophages is hard to clear because intracellular S. aureus has evolved mechanisms to hijack and subvert the immune response to favor intracellular infection. To overcome this challenge, nitrogen-phosphorous co-doped carbonized chitosan nanoparticles (NPCNs), which possess the polymer/carbon hybrid structures, were fabricated to clear intracellular S. aureus infection through chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Multi-heteroatom NPCNs were fabricated through the hydrothermal method, where chitosan and imidazole were used as the C and N sources and phosphoric acid as the P source. NPCNs can not only be used as a fluorescent probe for bacteria imaging but also kill extracellular and intracellular bacteria with low cytotoxicity. NPCNs could generate ROS and polarize macrophages into classically activated (M1) phenotypes to increase antibacterial immunity. Furthermore, NPCNs could accelerate intracellular S. aureus-infected wound healing in vivo. We envision that these carbonized chitosan nanoparticles may provide a new platform for clearing intracellular bacterial infection through chemotherapy and ROS-mediated immunotherapy.

Role of Hydrophobic Associations in Self-Healing Hydrogels Based on Amphiphilic Polysaccharides

Self-healing hydrogels have the ability to recover their original properties after the action of an external stress, due to presence in their structure of reversible chemical or physical cross-links. The physical cross-links lead to supramolecular hydrogels stabilized by hydrogen bonds, hydrophobic associations, electrostatic interactions, or host-guest interactions. Hydrophobic associations of amphiphilic polymers can provide self-healing hydrogels with good mechanical properties, and can also add more functionalities to these hydrogels by creating hydrophobic microdomains inside the hydrogels. This review highlights the main general advantages brought by hydrophobic associations in the design of self-healing hydrogels, with a focus on hydrogels based on biocompatible and biodegradable amphiphilic polysaccharides.

Tailorable antibacterial and cytotoxic chitosan derivatives by introducing quaternary ammonium salt and sulfobetaine

Chitosan (CS) derivatives with improved water solubility, antibacterial activity and adequate biocompatibility are attracting increasingly interest in medical application. Herein, we have successfully synthesized isocyanate terminated quaternary ammonium salt (IQAS) and sulfopropylbetaine (ISB) to be readily covalently bounded to CS skeleton by selective reaction with amino and hydroxyl groups. And their molecular structures and crystallinity were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance, and X-ray diffraction. The effect of the substitution degree, carbon chain length, content ratio of IQAS/ISB on their water solubility, antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity were systematically investigated, which shows that those properties of the CS derivatives can be tailored by adjusting the grafted antibacterial agents and their additive amount. The structure-property relationship of these CS derivatives may provide a solid guidance on the development of CS derivatives for more efficient practical applications.

Bio-inspired, bio-degradable adenosine 5′-diphosphate-modified hyaluronic acid coordinated hydrophobic undecanal-modified chitosan for hemostasis and wound healing

Uncontrolled hemorrhage and wound infection are crucial causes of trauma-associated death in both the military and the clinic. Therefore, developing an efficient and rapid hemostatic method with biocompatibility, easy degradation, and wound healing is of great importance and desirability. Inspired by spontaneous blood cell plug formation in the hemostasis process, an adenosine 5′-diphosphate modified pro-coagulation hyaluronic acid (HA-ADP) coordinated with enhanced antibacterial activity of undecanal-modified chitosan (UCS) was fabricated through physical electrostatic cross-linking and freeze-drying. The as-prepared hydrogel sponges showed a porous structure suitable for blood cell adhesion. In particular, the hydrogel exhibited excellent antibacterial ability and promoted the adhesion of platelets and red blood cells, thus inducing a prominent pro-coagulation ability via platelet activation, which exhibits a shorter hemostasis time (58.94% of control) in vitro. Compared with commercially available CELOX and gelatin sponge (GS), HA-ADP/UCS accelerates hemostasis and reduces blood loss in both rat tail amputation and rat artery injury models. Furthermore, all the samples exhibited superior cytocompatibility and biodegradability. Due to these performances, HA-ADP/UCS promoted full-thickness skin defect healing significantly in vivo. All the properties of HA-ADP/UCS suggest that it has great potential for translation as a clinical application material for hemostatic and wound healing.

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Using adenosine 5'-diphosphate, a physiologically platelet agonist, to modify hyaluronic acids to promote hemostatic effect.

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Using undecanal to modify Chitosan fabricated with HA-ADP via electrostatic interactions and noncovalent crosslinking method.

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The hydrogel sponges have excellent antibacterial properties related to the bacterial disruption abilities of UCS.

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HA-ADP/UCS posed a great hemostatic performance, promoting wound healing by regulating inflammatory response in early stage.

Highly resilient, biocompatible, and antibacterial carbon nanotube/hydroxybutyl chitosan sponge dressing for rapid and effective hemostasis

Uncontrolled hemorrhage is the leading cause of trauma death. The development of safe and efficient hemostatic agents that can rapidly and effectively control bleeding is of great significance to rescue the injured. However, the mechanical, absorptive, and antibacterial properties of conventional two-dimensional hemostatic agents are not satisfactory. Herein, a series of effective three-dimensional hemostatic dressings (JWCNT/HBC sponges) are developed by chemical modification of joint-welded carbon nanotube (JWCNT) sponges with hydroxybutyl chitosan (HBC) for hemorrhage hemostasis. The JWCNT/HBC sponges exhibit high elasticity, porous structure, and suitable blood-absorption and blood-maintaining performance. Moreover, the introduction of HBC endows the JWCNT/HBC sponges with favorable blood compatibility and good antibacterial activity. The sponge treated with 0.5% HBC (JWCNT/0.5%HBC sponge) displays better antiseptic capability, faster blood clotting ability in vitro and shorter hemostasis time in vivo than the commercial gelatin sponge. The JWCNT/HBC sponges combine the advantages of JWCNT sponges and HBC in the adhesion and activation of platelets and red blood cells, thus becoming a good medical material for trauma hemostasis.

Microchannelled alkylated chitosan sponge to treat noncompressible hemorrhages and facilitate wound healing

Developing an anti-infective shape-memory hemostatic sponge able to guide in situ tissue regeneration for noncompressible hemorrhages in civilian and battlefield settings remains a challenge. Here we engineer hemostatic chitosan sponges with highly interconnective microchannels by combining 3D printed microfiber leaching, freeze-drying, and superficial active modification. We demonstrate that the microchannelled alkylated chitosan sponge (MACS) exhibits the capacity for water and blood absorption, as well as rapid shape recovery. We show that compared to clinically used gauze, gelatin sponge, CELOX™, and CELOX™-gauze, the MACS provides higher pro-coagulant and hemostatic capacities in lethally normal and heparinized rat and pig liver perforation wound models. We demonstrate its anti-infective activity against S. aureus and E. coli and its promotion of liver parenchymal cell infiltration, vascularization, and tissue integration in a rat liver defect model. Overall, the MACS demonstrates promising clinical translational potential in treating lethal noncompressible hemorrhage and facilitating wound healing.

Antibacterial Activity of N,O-Acylated Chitosan Derivative

The antibacterial activity of N,O-acylated chitosan derivative with linoleic acid (CH_LA) was tested by disc and well diffusion, agar impregnation and microdilution methods against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Helicobacter pylori strains. Hydrophobically modified chitosan (HMC) was expected to exhibit enhanced antibacterial activity and specific mucin interactions. Although diffusion tests have not indicated the antibacterial potential of chitosan (CH) or CH_LA, the results of the microdilution method demonstrated that tested polymers significantly reduced the amount of living bacteria cells in different concentrations depending on the microorganism. Additionally, CH_LA was characterized by enhanced antibacterial activity compared to CH, which may suggest a different mechanism of interaction with S. aureus and H. pylori. Furthermore, the UV-VIS analysis revealed that the amphiphilic character of derivative led to strong CH_LA–mucin interactions. The study proved the high potential of CH_LA in antibacterial applications, especially for the gastrointestinal tract.

Synthesis Mechanism of an Environment-Friendly Sodium Lignosulfonate/Chitosan Medium-Density Fiberboard Adhesive and Response of Bonding Performance to Synthesis Mechanism

Environment-friendly medium-density fiberboards (MDFs) prepared using sodium lignosulfonate/chitosan adhesives (L/C) show potential in environment-friendly wood-based panel application. However, the synthesis mechanism of this adhesive and the relationships between synthesis mechanism and bonding performance were not discussed in depth. Herein, the synthesis mechanism of L/C was explored in detail based on characterizations of L/C with different mass ratios of sodium lignosulfonate to chitosan by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and X-ray diffraction. For L/C with different mass ratios of sodium lignosulfonate to chitosan, the corresponding bonding performance was also determined based on characterizations of mechanical and dimensional performance of MDFs. Results showed a 3D network structure of L/C formed through the hydrogen linkages among hydroxyl groups in sodium lignosulfonate and hydroxyl and amino groups in chitosan, amide linkages resulted from reaction between carbonyl groups in sodium lignosulfonate and amino groups in chitosan, and sulfonamide linkages originated from reaction between sulfonic groups in sodium lignosulfonate and amino groups in chitosan. The mechanical performance of MDF was closely related to the 3D network and amino groups of L/C, while the dimensional performance of MDF was negatively affected by sodium lignosulfonate. The MDFs with 1:3 and 1:2 mass ratios of sodium lignosulfonate to chitosan showed superior mechanical properties and comparable dimensional performance with a commercial panel.

Study of injectable Blueberry anthocyanins-loaded hydrogel for promoting full-thickness wound healing

Injectable hydrogels with high anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties are highly desirable for clinical application. In the present study, injectable hydrogels were prepared based on carboxymethyl chitosan and oxidized hyaluronic acid. Blueberry anthocyanins (BA), which are known for their antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties, were successfully loaded into the hydrogels. The gelation kinetics and mechanical properties of the hydrogels were investigated. Oxidized hyaluronic acid with an oxidation degree of 38.1% conferred a suitable gelation time (~70 s) and mechanical properties (76.0 kPa compression stress at strain of 80%) of the hydrogel. The injectable BA-loaded hydrogel significantly accelerated the wound healing process in a full-thickness skin wound model in rats, promoted epithelial and tissue regeneration, exerted antiinflammatory effects, and promoted collagen deposition and angiogenesis. Besides, the hydrogel could upregulate the expression of VEGF and IL-10 proteins, downregulate the NF-κB level, and promote macrophage transformation from M1 phenotype to M2. The promotion of the BA-loaded hydrogel on wound healing were mainly realized by its biological effects, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and regulation of various wound healing related factors. The results suggested that BA and the hydrogels exert synergistic effects in promoting wound healing. Injectable BA-loaded hydrogels appear to be promising candidates for wound healing application.

Anti-Infective and Pro-Coagulant Chitosan-Based Hydrogel Tissue Adhesive for Sutureless Wound Closure

Multifunctional tissue adhesives with excellent adhesion, antibleeding, anti-infection, and wound healing properties are desperately needed in clinical surgery. However, the successful development of multifunctional tissue adhesives that simultaneously possess all these properties remains a challenge. We have prepared a novel chitosan-based hydrogel adhesive by integration of hydrocaffeic acid-modified chitosan (CS-HA) with hydrophobically modified chitosan lactate (hmCS lactate) and characterized its gelation time, mechanical properties, and microstructure. Tissue adhesion properties were evaluated using both pigskin and intestine models. In situ antibleeding efficacy was demonstrated via the rat hemorrhaging liver and full-thickness wound closure models. Good antibacterial activity and anti-infection capability toward S. aureus and P. aeruginosa were confirmed using in vitro contact-killing assays and an infected pigskin model. The result of coculturing with 3T3 fibroblast cells indicated that the hydrogels have no significant cytotoxicity. Most importantly, the biocompatible and biodegradable CS-HA/hmCS lactate hydrogel was able to close the wound in a sutureless way and promote wound healing. Our results demonstrate that this hydrogel has great promise for sutureless closure of surgical incisions.