2-Deoxy-D-Ribose Releasing Chitosan/Collagen Based Pro-Angiogenic Skin Substitutes for Diabetic and Burn Wounds

Abstract

Chronic diabetic foot ulcers and severe burn injuries (i.e., full-thickness burns) cause extensive damage and are often complicated to heal and are burden on the economy. Slow or delayed blood vessel formation is the main reason for the delayed or non-healing of wounds [1]. It is estimated that in the year 2015 almost 8.8% of adult peoples were suffered from diabetes and the number of the diabatic patient is expected to increase at an alarming rate of 10.4% up to the year 2040 world-wide [2]. Diabetic patients suffer from non-healing wounds and the expanding rate of diabatic patients will increase the threats of chronic wounds. The development of cost-effective materials that can support angiogenesis is highly desired to prepare advance wound dressings [3]. In the current research, we developed the chitosan-based hydrogels through the freeze gelation method and utilized them as a 2-Deoxy-D-ribose (2dDR) carrier dressing. 2-Deoxy-D-ribose (2dDR) is a simple polysaccharide having ability to up regulate the release of VEGF in a more controlled way to support wound healing phenomenon in slow healing diabetic wounds [4]. Release studies of 2dDR were measured by using Bial’s orcinol assay. Swelling studies were performed to investigate the solution absorption capacity. Mechanical testing was performed to study the flexibility and tensile strength. Results indicated the developed material could be utilized as a cost-effective pro-angiogenic dressing material for diabetic and burn wounds.