Loading Thyroxine to Clinically Used Alginate Dressings to Stimulate Angiogenesis: Pro Angiogenic Dressings to Accelerate Wound Healing

Abstract

Burn and chronic wounds usually take time to heal and are always painful. Non healing wounds is a major global problem. Different techniques are adapted depending upon the severity to treat the wounds. If total body surface area (TBSA) of patient is more than 80% burned, then synthetic grafts are preferred. Recent advances in the identification of efficient pro-angiogenic agents, thyroxine loaded alginate dressings have been prepared to play a significant role in tissue engineering. Tissue Engineering is the dominant area of research in recent years due to its enormous potential for restoring or replacing damaged tissues and organs. In this research, we loaded the thyroxine: pro-angiogenic agent onto alginate dressings with different concentrations i.e., 1μg/ml, 2.5μg/ml, 5μg/ml and 10 μg/ml. FTIR was used to validate the functional groups presence and it confirmed that materials used in commercially available hydrogels did not alter their chemical identity. Drug release studies were designed to evaluate the release of thyroxine from alginate dressings. The release rate depends on swelling degree of dressing. To observe the angiogenic abilities of drug loaded samples, CAM assay was performed. Maximum angiogenesis was shown by scaffolds containing 2.5 μg concentration of thyroxine. The prepared drug loaded hydrogels with pro-angiogenic activity can be used for burn and chronic wounds healing.