FABRICATION AND ASSESSMENT OF DIFFERENT COMPOSITE BIOMATERIAL SCAFFOLDS FOR SKIN REPAIR AND REGENERATION

Objective: The healing of a wound in the shortest possible time, with minimal pain and discomfort is the prime objective of wound management. This study was focused to prepare and compare Chitosan and Gelatin polymers with sodium alginate (CS and GS) separately in the form of Composite scaffolds. Methods: Solvent casting was chosen to prepare six different composite scaffolds in three stages containing different proportions of chitosan: sodium alginate and gelatin: sodium alginate. The best among 6 scaffolds prepared in stage-1 was selected to study the effect of plasticizer (ethylene glycol) in 3 different concentrations in stage 2. The best of the different scaffolds of stage 2 was used to study the effect of cross-linking agent (CaCl2) in 2 different concentrations in stage 3. The best of different scaffolds of stage 3 was used for the evaluation of in-vitro antibacterial activity and in-vivo wound healing activity. Results: Results of the study revealed that, the increase in sodium alginate concentration shown the best physico mechanical properties in both CS and GS which further acquired the best properties with selected highest concentrations of crosslinker and plasticizer. . Folding endurance of CGS11 and CCS11 scaffolds were found to be 363±0.57 and 353±18.05 respectively. CCS and CGS scaffolds showed better zone of inhibition against both gram positive and negative bacteria. The hydroxyproline and hexosamine contents released from group treated with CGS11 on day 11 were 4.369±0.59, 2.045±0.001 respectively which were found higher than contents released from groups treated with CCS 11 (2.484±0.05 and 1.478±0.001). Percentage wound contraction on day 14 of CGS11 and CCS 11 was found to be 99.95±4.97% and 95.75±3.64% respectively. Photography of wounds and histopathological studies revealed that the experimental group IV treated with CGS showed better and faster healing than the control group and group treated with CCS 11. Conclusion: Present study concluded that, among all formulations, the CGS11 scaffold exhibited superior wound contraction and histological regeneration compared to CCS11.Composite bio scaffolds can be efficiently used for wound healing to replace synthetic antibiotics. The Composition of bioscaffolds with chitosan and gelatin in combination with sodium alginate highly impacts and improves the physico-mechanical and therapeutic properties of the scaffolds skin repair and regeneration.