Desenvolvimento e caracterização de um curativo biopolimérico contendo produtos naturais

Abstract

The development of new technology aimed to the treatment of wounds has been assuring to the patients in health centers an increase in quality of life. With the promise to offer less painful dressing changes, speeding up healing process and protecting wound from pathogens attack, the biopolymeric dressings has been increasing its share of the market. Although a great number of wound dressing options are available, their high cost consists in a major problem regarding its utilization. The incorporation of natural products in biopolymeric matrices, develop to treat have shown interesting results, attracting the attention of many research groups. Propolis, a mixture of resins, essential oils and polyphenols, is capable of speeding up wound recovery, acting as an antimicrobial agent and to modulate immune responses. Retinols, such as all-trans retinoic acid (atRA), are capable of stimulating type I collagen deposition, increase the synthesis of extracellular matrix, and consequently creating an adequate environment to multiplication, differentiation and maturation of the new tissue. Based on these principles, this work aimed the development of a biopolymeric matrix composed of sodium alginate and poli (vinyl alcohol) in different ratios incorporated with propolis and atRA. The developed materials were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, and evaluated its physico-chemical features and toxicological potential. A screen of biological activities was performed regarding its antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. As a result, the materials developed here presented a good mechanical behavior, with adequate morphological features expected for such material. The wound dressings obtained were suitable to be in touch with biological surfaces, in special to blood and its cell components. The propolis extract obtained was capable of inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 19117, Salmonella enteritidis AOAC 100201 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa INCQS 0025 strains. Both atRA and propolis presented antioxidant and antiinflammatory capacity, which could help in healing process. The wound dressings developed here possess a great potential of use in common medical practice and due to its simple synthesis and scalability, it may allow its easy fabrication and implementation in daily uses.