Rifampicin-Loaded Alginate-Gelatin Fibers Incorporated within Transdermal Films as a Fiber-in-Film System for Wound Healing Applications

Abstract

The various biological and molecular cascades including different stages or phases such as inflammation, tissue proliferation, and remodeling phases, which significantly define the wound healing process. The natural matrix system is suggested to increase and sustain these cascades. Biocompatible biopolymers, sodium alginate and gelatin, and a drug (Rifampicin) were used for the preparation of fibers into a physical crosslinking solution using extrusion-gelation. The formed fibers were then loaded in transdermal films for wound healing applications. Rifampicin, an antibiotic, antibacterial agent was incorporated into fibers and afterwards the fibers were loaded into transdermal films. Initially, rifampicin fibers were developed using biopolymers including alginate and gelatin, and were further loaded into polymeric matrix which led to the formation of transdermal films. The transdermal films were coded as TF1, TF2, TF3 and TF4.The characterization technique, FTIR, was used to describe molecular transitions within fibers, transdermal films, and was further corroborated using SEM and XRD. In mechanical properties, the parameters, such as tensile strength and elongation-at-break (extensibility), were found to be ranged between 2.32 ± 0.45 N/mm2 to 14.32 ± 0.98 N/mm2 and 15.2% ± 0.98% to 30.54% ± 1.08%. The morphological analysis firmed the development of fibers and fiber-loaded transdermal films. Additionally, physical evaluation such as water uptake study, water transmission rate, swelling index, moisture content, and moisture uptake study were executed to describe comparative interpretation of the formulations developed. In vivo studies were executed using a full thickness cutaneous wound healing model, the transdermal films developed showed higher degree of contraction, i.e., 98.85% ± 4.04% as compared to marketed formulation (Povidone). The fiber-in-film is a promising delivery system for loading therapeutic agents for effective wound care management.