A novel blue crab chitosan/protein composite hydrogel enriched with carotenoids endowed with distinguished wound healing capability: In vitro characterization and in vivo assessment.

This work aimed to the development of chitosan and protein isolate composite hydrogels, for carotenoids-controlled delivery and wound healing. By increasing the concentration of the protein isolate, chitosan hydrogels were more elastic at a protein isolate concentration not exceeding 15% (w/w). Chitosan-protein isolate composite hydrogels revealed low cytotoxicity towards MG-63 osteosarcoma cells. Thanks to its appropriate structural, swelling and mechanical resistance properties, chitosan hydrogel (3%; w/v), reinforced with 15% (w/w) of protein isolate, was selected for the carotenoids in vitro release study. Release profiles, show delivery patterns, where carotenoids were more barely released at a pH 7.4 medium (p < .05), compared to more acidic microenvironments (pH 4.0 and pH 2.0). Thus, developed hydrogels could be applied as pH-sensitive intelligent carriers, for drugs-controlled release, with interesting antioxidant abilities. The in vivo healing potential of hydrogels in rats' models was further studied. Topical application of hydrogel-based patches allowed the acceleration of wound healing and the complete healing, for composite hydrogel enriched with carotenoids.