Using Natural Extracts to Promote the Antibacterial and Anti-inflammatory Performance of Polyurethane Foams

This work focuses on the development and production of polyurethane foams with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities by using natural extracts. The foam dressings will help alleviate the pain patients experience from wound treatment. In this study, mangosteen extract, which has antibacterial properties, was combined with curcumin extract, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, to emphasize the importance of Thai herbs as the driving force of the Thailand economy. The three formulations of foam materials, Anti-inflame #1, Anti-inflame #2 and Anti-inflame #3, which contain the components of the natural extracts by using the extracts at various ratios, were investigated. The antibacterial activity results showed that the inhibition zones of Anti-inflame #1 and #3 were 7.25 +/- 2.47 and 3.25 +/- 0.71 mm, respectively, while Anti-inflame #2 application did not produce an inhibition zone. Anti-inflame #1 and #3 had the best bacterial reduction effects of 99.99% after 24 h. In addition, the toxicity of the foam wound dressings was analysed by studying the survival of L929 cells after 3 days of testing, and all Polyurethane foams (PU) showed survival rates greater than 80%, which was considered safe in this experiment. The antioxidant ability was examined by three methods, DPPH, ABTS and FRAP, and Anti-inflame #3 with a mangosteen to curcumin extract ratio of 1:2 had the highest antioxidant effect, indicating that the developed foam has good properties for use as an antimicrobial wound dressing. Therefore, Anti-inflame #3 would be the optimal material in terms of antibacterial activity and antioxidant potency.

Automated summary

This study focuses on the development of polyurethane foams with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities using natural extracts to alleviate pain during wound treatment. The results showed that the Anti-inflame #3 foam, containing a ratio of mangosteen to curcumin extract of 1:2, exhibited the best antibacterial and antioxidant effects, making it a promising antimicrobial wound dressing material.