DEVELOPMENT AND CHARACTERIZATION OF NOVEL MEDICATED HYDROGELS FOR WOUND DRESSING

The medicated hydrogels were prepared aseptically under moist heat treatment using polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), sodium-carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), polyethyleneglycol (PEG), agar, glycerin and/or boric acid (BA) and designated as PVP-CMC and PVP-CMC-BA. The aim of this study was to develop some medicinal values-based hydrogels. BA was used to build up the medicinal values (antiseptic and antimicrobial properties) within the hydrogels. Optical images, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy of the hydrogels indicated that boric acid is uniformly dispersed within the cross-linked hydrogel network that may heal and protect the wounds from infections/sepsis. Swelling study in presence of water and physiological saline solution confirmed its reasonable absorption capacity. The rheological properties and mechanical properties demonstrated that the boric acid incorporated hydrogels are quite flexible. Assessment of antimicrobial property study proves that PVP-CMC-BA (3% BA) has strong infection protection capacity.