Collagen-β-cyclodextrin hydrogels for advanced wound dressings: super-swelling, antibacterial action, inflammation modulation, and controlled drug release

Abstract

A key strategy in enhancing the efficacy of collagen-based hydrogels involves incorporating polysaccharides, which have shown great promise for wound healing. In this study, semi-interpenetrating polymeric network (semi-IPN) hydrogels comprised of collagen (Col) with the macrocyclic oligosaccharide β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) (20–80 wt.%) were synthesised. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed the successful fabrication of these Col/β-CD hydrogels, evidenced by the presence of characteristic absorption bands, including the urea bond band at ∼1740 cm⁻¹, related with collagen crosslinking. Higher β-CD content was associated with increased crosslinking, higher swelling, and faster gelation. The β-CD content directly influenced the morphology and semi-crystallinity. All Col/β-CD hydrogels displayed superabsorbent properties, enhanced thermal stability, and exhibited slow degradation rates. Mechanical properties were significantly improved with contents higher than β-CD 40 wt.%. These hydrogels inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli bacteria and facilitated the controlled release of agents, such as malachite green, methylene blue, and ketorolac. The chemical composition of the Col/β-CD hydrogels did not induce cytotoxic effects on monocytes and fibroblast cells. Instead, they actively promoted cellular metabolic activity, encouraging cell growth and proliferation. Moreover, cell signalling modulation was observed, leading to changes in the expression of TNF-α and IL-10 cytokines. In summary, the results of this research indicate that these novel hydrogels possess multifunctional characteristics, including biocompatibility, super-swelling capacity, good thermal, hydrolytic, and enzymatic degradation resistance, antibacterial activity, inflammation modulation, and the ability to be used for controlled delivery of therapeutic agents, indicating high potential for application in advanced wound dressings.

Graphical abstract

Keywords:

• Collagen-β-cyclodextrin hydrogels
• semi-IPN
• drug-release system
• antibacterial
• wound dressings

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to express their acknowledgement to the Consejo Nacional de Humanidades, Ciencias y Tecnologías (CONAHCYT) for grant FORDECYT-PRONACES/6660/2020. The authors also acknowledge Jesús Alfonso Mercado for technical support in WAXS and SEM characterisations of materials and Adán Herrera Guerrero for his technical assistance in Rheometry measurements.

Consent for publication

The authors declare that they consented to the publication of this study.

Author contributions

All authors contributed equally. J.A.C.R. designed the research. J.M., C.A., M.C., L.C., T.F., and R.E. collected and analysed data. J.M. and J.A.C.R. composed the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

Consejo Nacional de Humanidades, Ciencias y Tecnologías (CONAHCyT) supported this study with the FORDECYT-PRONACES/6660/2020 grant.