Silver sulfadiazine loaded chitosan/chondroitin sulfate films for a potential wound dressing application

Silver sulfadiazine (AgSD) loaded chitosan/chondroitin sulfate (CHI/CS) films were formed to be applied as a potential wound dressing material. The liquid uptake capacity of both, CHI/CS and CHI/CS/AgSD, films exhibited a pH-dependent behavior. Tensile tests showed that the amount of CS used to form the films and the further incorporation of AgSD affect the mechanical properties of the films. In vitro AgSD-release assays showed that the CHI/CS mass ratio influences the AgSD release rate. All the investigated CHI/CS/AgSD films sustain the AgSD release up to 96 h at physiological pH. Antibacterial activity and cell viability assays showed that all the CHI/CS/AgSD films have activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus but they were not toxic to Vero cells. The results presented in this work indicate that the CHI/CS/AgSD exhibits potential to be applied as a wound dressing material.

► AgSD loaded CHI/CS films were formed to be applied in wound dressing.
► Both the CHI/CS and CHI/CS/AgSD films exhibited swelling behavior responsive to pH.
► The CHI/CS/AgSD films can sustain the AgSD-release in a controlled way.
► CHI/CS/AgSD films exhibited bactericidal action against P. aeruginosa and S. aureus.
► Cell viability assays showed that all the CHI/CS and CHI/CS/AgSD films are non-toxic.