Multifunctional Wound‐Dressing Composites Consisting of Polyvinyl Alcohol, Aloe Extracts and Quaternary Ammonium Chitosan Salt

Abstract

Wound dressings are materials generally made of gauze, synthetic, and natural polymers that are able to protect wound from microorganism, absorb exudates, and provide compression to minimize edema as well as a temporary substrate for tissue cells to grow. The multifunction of wound dressing exhibiting antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and conducive to skin-tissue regeneration is highly desired. In this study, we developed such a multifunctional wound-dressing composite consisting of polyvinyl alcohol, aloe extracts, and quaternary ammonium chitosan salt (PVA/AE/QCS, PAQ). The mass ratio of PAQ composites was controlled at three different levels of 6:3:1, 7:2:1, and 8:1:1. The as-prepared PAQ composites exhibited a porous profile on both surface and cross-section areas with 3-60-mu m pore size and a three-dimensional (3D) porous network inside. Such a porous structure could effectively prevent the invasion of microorganism, as well as readily absorb extrudes from wound. The PAQ composites exhibited a good competency of moisture maintenance, excellent antibacterial characteristics, and a good biocompatibility of fibroblasts, and they would become a competitive multifunctional wound dressing.