Hyaluronic acid/ carboxylated Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework film with improved mechanical and antibacterial properties

Hyaluronic acid (HA), a naturally sourced polysaccharide, has shown remarkable effectiveness on wound healing, but its low mechanical strength and instability limits its frequent application in this field. In order to minimize this shortcoming, hyaluronic acid based wound dressings were blended with functionalized ZIF-8, which not only provides high mechanical strength, but also introduces antibacterial properties and promotes fibroblast migration and proliferation. To analyze physiochemical and biological characteristics of prepared wound dressings, tests including DLS, XRD, FTIR as well as antibacterial and cell adhesion assays were carried out. Results indicated that HA film modification boosted the Young's modulus from 138 to 176 K Pa, and reduced the water contact angle from 37.4 to 27.7 proving enhancement in hydrophilicity. Ameliorated antibacterial properties and better cell adhesion were also observed. Suitable cell viability was observed in samples with FZIF-8, since released Zn ions maintained within a safe concentration range.