Chitosan-Gelatin Film Loaded with Cardamom Extract and Erythromycin for Antibacterial and Antioxidant Wound Healing Applications

Abstract

Background: Long-term inflammation and persistent infection can lead to chronic wounds, making them difficult to heal. Objectives: This study aimed to develop a multifunctional biopolymer-based wound dressing characterized in vitro, designed to provide an antibacterial and antioxidant microenvironment for enhanced wound healing. Methods: Accordingly, we developed a film based on chitosan-gelatin-cardamom extract to promote bacterial wound healing. Results: Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analyses showed a compact and uniform structure, with hydrogen bond formation among the functional groups of the components, indicating good compatibility. In addition, examination of the mechanical properties revealed that by applying a stress of 0.12 MPa, the maximum elongation of the hydrogel was 32.5%. Also, the swelling degree (SD) and the equilibrium water content (EWC) results illustrated that the films had optimal swelling. In the release assay, a sustained release pattern of erythromycin was observed due to the penetration of erythromycin molecules into the inner layers of the hydrogel. During the period of 7 and 8 hours, no significant difference was observed in the release of the drug, and it reached a steady-state plateau. For assaying the antibacterial function of the films, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were incubated with the films for 24 h. The chitosan-gelatin-cardamom-erythromycin group showed enhanced inhibition of S. aureus, attributable to the synergistic effect of the drug and the extract. Antioxidant activity assays of the films using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) methods revealed that this group had strong antioxidant capacity. Cytotoxicity analysis using the methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay showed that the films maintained high biocompatibility, with cell viability exceeding 90% compared to the untreated control. Conclusions: Collectively, chitosan-gelatin-black cardamom extract film, with its antioxidant, antibacterial, and suitable biocompatibility properties, may serve as a potential wound dressing for bacterial-infected wounds.