A sustained-release gel film based on chitosan for treating cutaneous candidiasis

Hydrogels have been widely used in wound dressings owing to their biocompatibility and bacteriostatic properties. In this study, a chitosan-citric acid gel film was prepared using chitosan as the raw material and citric acid as the acid solvent and cross-linking agent. In addition, to increase the antibacterial effect of the gel film, ketoconazole/beta-cyclodextrin inclusion complex was prepared by inclusion technology and added to the gel film to prepare a chitosancitric acid sustained-release gel film loaded with ketoconazole/beta-cyclodextrin inclusion complex for treating cutaneous candidiasis. The physical and chemical properties of the chitosan-citric acid gel films were investigated using infrared spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, water vapor transmittance test, thermal analysis, and swelling tests. Drug release, antibacterial, and toxicity tests of the chitosancitric acid gel film loading with ketoconazole/beta-cyclodextrin inclusion complex were carried out in vitro. The composite film showed good sustained drug release behavior, antibacterial effects, and biocompatibility in vitro. These results support that the chitosan-citric acid hydrogel has great potential as a gel wound dressing for the treatment of cutaneous candidiasis.

Automated summary

In this study, a gel film was prepared using chitosan and citric acid, and ketoconazole/beta-cyclodextrin inclusion complex was added to enhance its antibacterial effect. The composite film showed sustained drug release behavior, antibacterial effects, and biocompatibility, making it suitable for the treatment of cutaneous candidiasis.