Researchers improved the functionality of standard cotton gauze for wound treatment by packing it with nanofibers.

Researchers improved the functionality of standard cotton gauze for wound treatment by packing it with nanofibers. As per Cornell University, this newly designed cotton bandage could help to combat bacterial infections better and enhance the healing of chronic wounds.

Researchers improved the functioning of cotton bandages by leveraging the antioxidant and antibacterial qualities of Lawsone, a plant component found in henna leaves.

Cotton is commonly used for wound dressing because it is inexpensive, readily available, comfortable, and biocompatible.

However, it has certain downsides, including the inability to promote healing and treat infections actively.

“Wound dressings should provide a suitable environment for facilitating healing and preventing infection. Cotton alone cannot provide an answer for these complications – it needs to be biofunctionalized,” said lead author Mohsen Alishahi from Cornell University.

Designing of nanofibre-coated cotton bandage

According to the study, Lawsone has demonstrated the ability to expedite the healing of wounds. A crucial aspect is to prevent overreliance on synthetic antibiotics, which has led to the emergence of multidrug-resistant microorganisms.

“The prolonged overuse of synthetic antibiotics in high concentrations has contributed to the rise of the deadly epidemic of multidrug-resistant microbes,” said Tamer Uyar.

“So the use of natural and potent antibacterial such as Lawsone may serve as an alternative to synthetic antibacterial,” added Uyar.

However, the lawsone compound offers one challenge: its solubility in solution and low absorption by the body.

To overcome these challenges, the researchers turned to “cyclodextrins, a family of natural oligosaccharides” derived from starch. This strategy allowed them to create a combination that efficiently bound the lawsone molecules within the cyclodextrin framework.

Using electrospinning equipment, the researchers formed a homogeneous nanofibrous coating from the lawsone-cyclodextrin combination. This coating was then applied on a non-woven cotton pad.

Notably, the experimental dressing exhibited significantly higher antioxidant activity, indicating the potential for faster wound healing.

The innovative dressing design overcomes the constraints of Lawsone’s solubility and absorption, representing a promising development in wound treatment.

“Using totally natural materials such as cotton, cyclodextrin, and lawsone, this dressing can facilitate both as it has comprehensive antioxidant and antibacterial activity,” said Alishahi.

Bandage shows promise in testing against bacteria

As per the release, the researchers tested the biological features of the newly designed cotton dressing. It was tested on both gram-negative and gram-positive bacterial species.

Surprisingly, the experimental dressing demonstrated exceptional antibacterial activity when exposed to both kinds of bacteria. Specifically, it successfully eliminated E. coli and staph germs throughout the testing phase.

This bandage can be used on chronic wounds like diabetic ulcers and burns. These wounds are especially prone to infection.

“I am familiar with the complications patients face due to the lack of suitable dressings,” said Alishahi, who has worked in a burn- and wound-healing research center.

“My ultimate goal is to develop a dressing that can overcome these difficulties for them. This work opens doors to creating medical textiles that are good for the environment and great for healing,” concluded Alishahi in the press release.

This development marks a significant advancement in wound care, providing a natural and effective way to promote healing and battle infections.

The findings were published in the International Journal of Pharmaceutics.

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Source: Interesting Engineering, Inc.