Polysaccharide films modified by compounds of natural origin and silver having potential medical applications

Abstract

Abstract: In the first stage, seven polysaccharide films were prepared with varying compositions of starch, carboxymethyl starch (CMS), and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), together with glycerol and citric acid. From these samples, the most suitable film for possible future applications in medicine in the form of patches was selected based on tensile strength tests, solubility in water, moisture sorption, swelling, and wetting angle. This film (labelled as “V”) contained (in wt%) CMS (2.5), CMC (2.5), citric acid (3), and glycerol (3). In the second stage, the selected film was used for further applications by individually introducing into it appropriate additives with known antimicrobial activity. These additives consisted of terpene compounds of natural origin (α-pinene, menthol, and eugenol) as well as colloidal silver. These four films were then studied to determine the influence of the appropriate additive on moisture absorption, solubility in water, swelling, and antimicrobial activity. The results of the microbiological tests confirmed the antimicrobial activities, and also the anti-infective and regenerative effect of these films. In general, the films containing terpenes showed comparable or better medicinal properties than the film obtained with colloidal silver. A patch prototype (with a medical net) based on the optimal film (“V”) was developed, and its flexibility is apparent in that it can take the shape and size of the area on the human body that it should cover. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]