Clinical Evaluation of Chitagel in Chronic Wound Healing: A Complementary Bioactive Gel with Echinacea Extract and Quaternary Ammonium-Modified Chitosan
| Author | Shohreh Fahimirad | en |
| Author | Hasan Jafari | en |
| Author | Morteza Sanagooiezadeh Isfahani | en |
| Author | Mohammadreza Memarzadeh | en |
| Author | Amir Almasi Hashiani | en |
| Author | Hamid Abtahi | en |
| Orcid | Shohreh Fahimirad [0000-0002-9991-0869] | en |
| Orcid | Amir Almasi Hashiani [0000-0003-4434-561X] | en |
| Orcid | Hamid Abtahi [0000-0002-3247-3289] | en |
| Issued Date | 2026-05-31 | en |
| Abstract | Background: Chronic wounds remain a major clinical challenge owing to persistent inflammation, delayed tissue regeneration, and increased susceptibility to infection. Multifunctional wound-healing formulations that simultaneously provide antimicrobial protection, maintain moisture balance, and promote tissue repair may improve clinical outcomes in difficult-to-heal wounds. Objectives: This study evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of Chitagel, a bioactive wound-healing gel containing quaternary ammonium-modified chitosan, Echinacea purpurea extract, polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB), glycerin, dexpanthenol, and sorbitol. Methods: This prospective, single-arm interventional clinical study enrolled 80 patients with chronic and non-healing wounds of different etiologies, including diabetic, post-surgical, traumatic, and chronic non-healing wounds, at the Sepahan Wound Care Specialty Clinic (Isfahan, Iran) between 2022 and 2023. All patients received standard wound care in addition to topical Chitagel application. Wound-healing progression was assessed through serial clinical evaluations and digital wound measurements over the treatment period. This exploratory, single-arm, descriptive study was conducted without a control group or blinding. No quantitative cohort-level wound measurements were collected; findings were based on clinical observations and representative cases. Results: Descriptive clinical improvement, including reduced wound size and enhanced granulation tissue, was observed in representative cases across wound categories. No quantitative cohort-level data or statistical comparisons were performed. No major treatment-related adverse events were observed. Chitagel application was associated with reductions in wound size and depth, enhanced granulation tissue formation, observable epithelialization, and improved wound-bed appearance. Favorable healing responses were particularly observed in diabetic and non-healing wounds, which demonstrated progressive wound contraction and tissue regeneration during follow-up. No major treatment-related adverse events were observed during the study period. Conclusions: In this exploratory, uncontrolled, descriptive study, topical Chitagel application was associated with observable wound improvement in selected cases. These preliminary observations may inform future randomized controlled trials. The gel’s multifunctional composition may support wound healing through antimicrobial, moisturizing, and regenerative mechanisms. However, larger, controlled clinical trials with longer follow-up are required to confirm efficacy, establish comparative effectiveness, and further evaluate long-term safety. Trial Registration: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT): IRCT20210510051243N2. | en |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.5812/jjnpp-170761 | en |
| URI | https://brieflands.com/journals/jjnpp/articles/170761 | en |
| Keyword | Chitagel | en |
| Keyword | Chronic Wound Healing | en |
| Keyword | Bioactive Hydrogel | en |
| Keyword | Diabetic Wound | en |
| Keyword | Chitosan | en |
| Keyword | Echinacea Purpurea | en |
| Publisher | Brieflands | en |
| Title | Clinical Evaluation of Chitagel in Chronic Wound Healing: A Complementary Bioactive Gel with <i>Echinacea</i> Extract and Quaternary Ammonium-Modified Chitosan | en |
| Type | Research Article | en |