Evaluation of the regenerative and anti-inflammatory activity of a biodegradable wound gel dressing

Introduction. The development of means to create a wound dressing that promotes rapid healing through the release of biologically active substances (BAS) and the prevention of infection is a relevant research area. The use of biodegradable materials with strong regenerative properties is of particular interest. Gelatin has the most of these properties and can be considered as a promising basis for the creation of biodegradable wound dressings with regenerative activity.

Aim of the study. The aim of the study is to investigate the regenerative and anti-inflammatory properties of a biodegradable gel wound dressing.

Material and methods. A gel based on fish gelatin with the addition of broadleaf plantain extract (Plantago major L.) at a concentration of 10% and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid methyl ester at a concentration of 0.05% was studied. The regenerative activity of the gel was evaluated in experimental studies on laboratory animals with a simulated thermal burn of the skin. The anti-inflammatory activity of the gel was assessed by the level of total leukocytes and inflammatory markers in blood serum.

Results. The application of the biodegradable wound dressing in the form of a gel has a regenerative effect, which was confirmed by an increase in the rate of epithelialisation and a reduction in the wound surface area by almost 1.5 times compared to the control values (p˂0.05). The pronounced anti-inflammatory activity of the gel was confirmed by a 1.2-fold reduction in total leukocyte count compared with the untreated burn group, a 2.4-fold reduction in C-reactive protein levels (p<0.05) and a 66.2-fold reduction in procalcitonin levels (p<0.01) compared with the untreated control group.

Conclusion. The biodegradable wound dressing based on fish gelatin with broadleaf plantain extract has a pronounced regenerative and anti-inflammatory effect, which is accompanied by accelerated release of necrotic tissue from the wound, reduction of the burn wound area, acceleration of epidermal restoration and healing of the affected skin, reduction of the total number of leukocytes and the level of pro-inflammatory markers and, as a result, reduction of the treatment time on the burn wound model.