Development Of A Hydrogel Wound Dressing System For The Application Of Burn Wounds Injuries

Abstract

Burn injuries, representing a significant public health concern, necessitate innovative treatments to enhance healing, mitigate infections, and minimize long-term scarring. This study focused on the design, synthesis, and evaluation of a novel hydrogel wound dressing system, incorporating tannic acid into a carboxymethylcellulose-gelatin matrix, aimed at optimizing the healing process of acute burn wounds. Utilising an interdisciplinary approach, the research investigated the hydrogel’s physicochemical properties, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and therapeutic efficacy through a comprehensive suite of analytical techniques including Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and in vitro NIH 3T3 cytotoxicity assays. The findings revealed that the scaffold demonstrated desirable characteristics such as enhanced mechanical stability and effective tannic acid release profile without exhibiting cytotoxic effects to NIH 3T3 fibroblast cells. These properties are critical for creating a moist healing environment, preventing wound infection, and promoting tissue regeneration. The study's outcomes suggest that the developed hydrogel wound dressing system holds considerable promise for advancing burn wound care, offering a scientifically grounded and potentially cost- effective solution for improving patient outcomes. Further in vivo studies and clinical trials are warranted to validate its efficacy and safety for clinical application.