Drug-loaded polymeric composite skin graft for infection-free wound healing: fabrication, characterization, cell proliferation, migration, and antimicrobial activity.

PURPOSE

A new, injectable, drug-loaded composite graft was developed to enable infection free wound healing.

METHODS

The graft was fabricated using gentamicin and biomimetic microparticulate scaffolds in gelatin gel and characterized for biologically relevant properties like fluid uptake, evaporative water loss (EWL), water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), Young's modulus and degradation. It was evaluated for drug release, cytocompatibility and antimicrobial efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

RESULTS

Graft exhibited fluid uptake of 13.79%, EWL of 60-70% in 10 h, WVTR of 5480.31 g/m(2)/d, and Young's modulus as 2.1-10.8 kPa. It exhibited 99.36% degree of crosslinking and a dual degradation behavior wherein, the carrier gel, gelatin, degraded rapidly leaving the microparticulate scaffolds intact. Drug release studies showed a sustained release of gentamicin for 13 days sufficient to inhibit the infection at the wound site. Cytocompatibility assessment of the graft revealed that graft supported cell adhesion, proliferation and migration. The antibacterial efficacy of the graft was assessed using Kirby-Bauer method and time kill assay, wherein results indicated a quick, effective (≥ 5-log reduction in CFU/ml) and long lasting antimicrobial effect.

CONCLUSIONS

These results as a whole indicate that the graft represents an effective alternative for infection-free healing of full thickness wounds.