Synthesis and Assessment of Novel Gelatin–Chitosan Lactate Cohydrogels for Controlled Delivery and Tissue Engineering Applications

ABSTRACT

The current study discusses the synthesis of novel gelatin–chitosan lactate cohydrogels. Mechanical studies indicated the viscoelastic nature of the cohydrogels. The cohydrogels were predominantly elastic in nature. Inherent mechanical stability of the cohydrogels was better than the pristine gelatin hydrogel. Incorporation of chitosan lactate improved the in vitro swelling and the drug release properties of the cohydrogels. The cohydrogels showed good antimicrobial drug delivery capacity. The properties of the developed cohydrogels demonstrated that they could be used as delivery vehicles for antimicrobial drugs. Cell proliferation study suggested that the cohydrogels supported the proliferation of the human keratinocytes.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• Chitosan lactate
• cohydrogels
• drug delivery
• Gelatin
• impedance spectroscopy
• stress relaxation

Acknowledgment

Authors acknowledge the support provided by National Institute of Technology, Rourkela for the completion of this study.

Additional information

Funding

The authors would like to extend their sincere appreciation to the Deanship of Scientific Research at King Saud University for its funding through the Research Group Project No. RG 1435–015.