Development of Nanocomposite Films Based on Chitosan and Gelatin Loaded with Chitosan-Tripolyphosphate Nanoparticles: Antioxidant Potentials and Applications in Wound Healing

Recently, there is an increasing interest to prepare wound healing agents based on bio-polymers, due to their non-toxicity, biocompatibility and biodegradability. Despite this interest, nanocomposite films were prepared based on chitosan and gelatin reinforced with chitosan-sodium tripolyphosphate nanoparticles (CS-NPs). Nanoparticles were incorporated onto films at different weight ratios (2, 4 and 6 wt%, dry base). Nanocomposite films enriched with nanoparticles were characterized by a higher UV-barrier property, compared to the control film. Films were characterized in terms of physical, mechanical and thermal properties, as well as their bioactivity. An increase in the tensile strength was observed with CS-NPs incorporation, while the elongation at break was adversely affected by nanoparticles amount. Thermal analyses confirmed the compatibility and miscibility between the different film components. Further, CS-NPs addition increased the surface wettability (polar component and surface free energy) of nanocomposite films. The biological properties of films, as well as their wound healing ability were explored. Results showed that nanoparticles incorporation improved significantly the antioxidant and antibacterial efficacies of nanocomposite films. Moreover, in-vivo wound healing test showed that the rate of wound reduction was greatly elevated with a rapid re-epithelialization for treated group with nanocomposite films. Consequently, films were suitable and promising alternatives biomaterials for wound healing and skin regeneration.