Capparis sepiaria-Loaded Sodium Alginate Single- and Double-Layer Membrane Composites for Wound Healing

Abstract

<b>Background</b>: Effective wound dressing is the key solution to combating the increased death rate and prolonged hospital stay common to patients with wounds. <b>Methods</b>: Sodium alginate-based single- and double-layer membranes incorporated with <i>Capparis sepiaria</i> root extract were designed using the solvent-casting method from a combination of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), Pluronic F127 (PF127), and gum acacia. <b>Results</b>: The successful preparation of the membranes and loading of the extract were confirmed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The prepared membranes were biodegradable and non-toxic to human skin cells (HaCaT), with high biocompatibility of 92 to 112% cell viability and good hemocompatibility with absorbance ranging from 0.17 to 0.30. The membrane's highest water vapor transmission rate was 1654.7333 ± 0.736 g/m²/day and the highest % porosity was 76%. The membranes supported cellular adhesion and migration, with the highest closure being 68% after 4 days compared with the commercial wound dressings. This membrane exhibited enhanced antimicrobial activity against the pathogens responsible for wound infections. <b>Conclusions</b>: The distinct features of the membranes make them promising wound dressings for treating infected wounds.