Tremella polysaccharide-based composite hydrogel and preparation method thereof

Abstract

The present application provides a low-cost silver-containing tremella polysaccharide-based hydrogel and a preparation method thereof. The prepared hydrogel has obvious porous structure and viscoelasticity characteristics, and has good gel strength and antibacterial property. The hydrogel can be applied to wound dressings to provide an ideal microenvironment for wound repair. The present application expands the application range of tremella polysaccharide and promotes the further development of wound dressing type hydrogel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of biomedical materials technology, specifically to a tremella polysaccharide-based hydrogel for wound dressing and its preparation method. Background Technology

[0002] The skin is the body's first line of defense, and skin damage can lead to a variety of consequences, including pain and discomfort, increased risk of infection, impaired thermoregulation, loss of fluids and electrolytes, functional impairment, chronic wound formation, weakened immune system, and impaired vitamin D synthesis. The skin plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis, both internally and externally. If skin wounds do not heal promptly, they can lead to problems such as water and protein loss, infection, and immune system disorders.

[0003] Hydrogels are considered ideal materials for wound care due to their excellent hydrophilicity and high absorbency, providing a suitable healing environment for wounds. However, most hydrogel dressings currently on the market lack bioactive functions such as promoting blood clotting and improving inflammation.

[0004] Tremella, also known as white fungus, snow fungus, and silver ear fungus, is a precious edible fungus with both culinary and medicinal value. It contains a variety of nutrients, including protein, fat, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Tremella polysaccharides are its unique nutritional components, natural polymers with various biological activities, including anti-tumor, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, hypoglycemic, and moisturizing effects. The main chain of Tremella polysaccharides is primarily composed of α-(1→3)-mannan, with various side chains attached. These side chains consist of monosaccharide residues such as glucose, xylose, fucose, and glucuronic acid.

[0005] Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides possess various biological activities, including immunomodulation, antioxidation, anti-aging, and anti-inflammation. Current research mainly focuses on exploring the pharmacological functions of Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides, while research and applications of functional hydrogels based on Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides are rarely reported. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Purpose of the invention The purpose of this invention is to provide a low-cost hydrogel containing tremella polysaccharide and its preparation method. The prepared hydrogel exhibits a significant porous structure and viscoelastic characteristics, as well as good gel strength and antibacterial properties. It can be applied to wound dressings, providing an ideal microenvironment for wound repair. This invention expands the application range of tremella polysaccharide and promotes the further development of wound dressing hydrogels.

[0007] Solution Tremella polysaccharide (TP), chitosan (CS), and curcumin (Cur) were used as basic raw materials, and glutaraldehyde (GA) was used as a crosslinking agent to prepare Tremella polysaccharide hydrogel (TP-gel).

[0008] Using the antibacterial effect of TP-gel as a key indicator, experiments were conducted to verify four key factors: TP concentration, TP:CS ratio, Curl concentration, and GA concentration. The preparation conditions of TP-gel were optimized, and the optimal process conditions for preparing TP-gel were determined to be: TP concentration of 0.6%, TP:CS ratio of 1:5, Curl concentration of 1%, and GA concentration of 4%. The TP-gel prepared with the optimal formula showed an inhibition zone diameter of 32.4±0.2 mm for *Escherichia coli* and 25.4±0.1 mm for *Staphylococcus aureus*.

[0009] Specific preparation method of Tremella polysaccharide hydrogel: (1) Dissolve the polysaccharide of Tremella fuciformis in pure water to prepare a 0.6% solution of Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide (solution A).

[0010] (2) Dissolve chitosan in 1.5% acetic acid solution to prepare 1.2% chitosan solution (solution B).

[0011] (3) Dissolve curcumin in 80% ethanol solution to prepare 1% curcumin solution (C solution).

[0012] (4) Add 50% glutaraldehyde to pure water to prepare a 4% glutaraldehyde solution (D solution).

[0013] (5) Place 10 mL of solution A in a beaker, and add solution B with the aid of a magnetic stirrer to make the material ratio of Tremella polysaccharide to chitosan 1:5. After the solution is completely mixed, stir for 5 min. Add 2.5 mL of solution C and stir for another 5 min. After stirring, remove the solution and place it in an ultrasonic bath to defoam. After the bubbles are eliminated, add 2 mL of solution D, pour it into a mold and let it stand to form. After the hydrogel has stood and formed, wash the hydrogel repeatedly with pure water 3 times to obtain Tremella polysaccharide hydrogel (TP-gel).

[0014] Technical effect The Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide hydrogel prepared by this invention is shown in the attached photograph. Figure 1 It has the following outstanding beneficial effects: (1) The diameter of the E. coli inhibition zone of TP-gel hydrogel was measured to be 32.4±0.2 mm, and the diameter of the Staphylococcus aureus inhibition zone was 25.4±0.1 mm, indicating that it has good antibacterial properties.

[0015] (2) The experimentally measured TP-gel hydrogel strength was 243.62±4.6g, which shows that it has good gel strength and is suitable for use as wound dressing.

[0016] The application effects of the Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide hydrogel (TP-gel) prepared in this invention in wound dressings: Pour the ungelled TP-gel solution into a mold to form a hydrogel sheet with a diameter of about 1 cm. Wash the prepared TP-gel sheet three times with pure water to remove excess monomer, and then sterilize it under a UV lamp for later use.

[0017] (1) Hemostatic performance test exist Figure 2 In the liver hemorrhage model (a), the average bleeding volume of TP-gel was 0.15 g, significantly lower than that of the blank group (0.26 g) and the gauze group (0.24 g), demonstrating excellent hemostatic effect. Figure 2 In the tail bleeding model (b), TP-gel also showed a significant hemostatic effect, with an average bleeding amount of 0.06 g, which was much lower than that of the blank group (0.25 g) and the gauze group (0.24 g).

[0018] (2) Measurement of growth factors and inflammatory factors Detect CD31 levels on days 7 and 14. See details. Figure 3 (a) It was found that the CD31 level in the TP-gel group was consistently higher than that in the control group and the gauze group, indicating that TP-gel has a significant advantage in accelerating wound healing and promoting angiogenesis. From day 7 to day 14, the VEGF content in the TP-gel group was consistently higher than that in the control group and the gauze group. See details. Figure 3 (b) and its increasing trend was consistent with the changes in CD31 content, further confirming the promoting effect of TP-gel on angiogenesis. Over time, the levels of the inflammatory factors IL-6 and IL-1β in all groups showed a decreasing trend, as detailed in [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 4 However, the levels of inflammatory factors in the TP-gel group were consistently significantly lower than those in the blank group and the gauze group, indicating that TP-gel can effectively reduce the secretion of inflammatory factors, thereby alleviating wound inflammation and promoting healing. For detailed images of mouse wounds and healing changes, please refer to [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 5 and Figure 6 It is evident that the wound healing in the TP-gel group was significantly faster than that in the blank group and the gauze group. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 Photograph of the actual product of the Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide hydrogel (TP-gel) prepared according to the present invention. Figure 2 The amount of bleeding in the liver hemorrhage model (a) and the tail hemorrhage model (b) is shown. Figure 3 Changes in CD31 content (a) and VEGF content (b) in mouse wounds. Figure 4 Changes in IL-1β and IL-6 levels in mouse wounds (b) Figure 5 Image of a full-thickness dermal wound on the back of a mouse. Figure 6 Changes in the healing of a full-thickness skin wound on the back of a mouse.

Claims

1. A Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide-based composite hydrogel, characterized in that, Using Tremella polysaccharide (TP), chitosan (CS) and curcumin (Cur) as basic raw materials, and glutaraldehyde (GA) as a crosslinking agent, a Tremella polysaccharide-based composite hydrogel (TP-gel) was prepared.

2. The hydrogel according to claim 1, wherein the optimal preparation and synthesis components are: TP concentration of 0.6%, TP to CS material ratio of 1:5, Cur concentration of 1%, and GA concentration of 4%.

3. The specific steps of the preparation method of the hydrogel according to claim 1 are as follows: (1) Dissolve a certain amount of Tremella polysaccharide in pure water to prepare Tremella polysaccharide solution (A solution). (2) Chitosan is easily soluble in acidic environments, so a chitosan solution (B solution) is prepared by dissolving chitosan in a 1.5% acetic acid solution. (3) Dissolve a certain amount of curcumin in 80% ethanol solution for later use (C solution). (4) Dilute the 50% glutaraldehyde solution for later use (D solution). Place 10 ml of solution A in a beaker, and add an appropriate amount of solution B with the aid of a magnetic stirrer. After the solution is completely mixed, stir for 5 min. Add 2.5 ml of solution C and stir for another 5 min. After stirring, remove the solution and place it in an ultrasonic bath to defoam. After the bubbles are eliminated, add 2 ml of solution D, pour into a mold, and let it stand to solidify. After the hydrogel has solidified, wash the hydrogel repeatedly with pure water 3 times to obtain the Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide-based composite hydrogel (TP-gel).

4. The Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide hydrogel (TP-gel) prepared according to the above-mentioned synthetic components and methods has good antibacterial properties and shows good gel strength potential. It is suitable for use as a wound dressing and has good hemostatic and anti-inflammatory factor secretion properties.

5. The scope of protection of this invention shall not be limited to the embodiments or comparative examples shown herein, but shall conform to the widest scope consistent with claim 1.

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