Halloysite and chitosan oligosaccharide nanocomposite for wound healing

Publication date: Available online 15 May 2017
Source:Acta Biomaterialia
Author(s): Giuseppina Sandri, Carola Aguzzi, Silvia Rossi, Maria Cristina Bonferoni, Giovanna Bruni, Cinzia Boselli, Antonia Icaro Cornaglia, Federica Riva, Cesar Viseras, Carla Caramella, Franca Ferrari
Halloysite is a natural nanotubular clay mineral (HNTs, Halloysite Nano Tubes) chemically identical to kaolinite and, due to its good biocompatibility, is an attractive nanomaterial for a vast range of biological applications.Chitosan oligosaccharides are homo- or heterooligomers of N-acetylglucosamine and D-glucosamine, that accelerate wound healing by enhancing the functions of inflammatory and repairing cells.The aim of the work was the development of a nanocomposite based on HNTs and chitosan oligosaccharides, to be used as pour powder to enhance healing in the treatment of chronic wounds.A 1:0.05 weight ratio HTNs/chitosan oligosaccharide nanocomposite was obtained by simply stirring the HTNs powder in a 1% aqueous chitosan oligosaccharide solution and was formed by spontaneous ionic interaction resulting in 98.6% w/w HTNs and 1.4% w/w chitosan oligosaccharide composition. Advanced electron microscopy techniques were considered to confirm the structure of the hybrid nanotubes.Both HTNs and HTNs/chitosan oligosaccharide nanocomposite showed good in vitro biocompatibility with normal human dermal fibroblasts up to 300 μg/ml concentration and enhanced in vitro fibroblast motility, promoting both proliferation and migration. The HTNs/chitosan oligosaccharide nanocomposite and the two components separately were tested for healing capacity in a murine (rat) model. HTNs/chitosan oligosaccharide allowed better skin reepithelization and reorganization than HNTs or chitosan oligosaccharide separately. The results suggest to develop the nanocomposite as a medical device for wound healing.Statement of significanceThe research paper entitled "Halloysite and chitosan oligosaccharide nanocomposite for wound healing" considers a therapeutic option for difficult to heal skin lesions and burns. The aim of work submitted was the development of a nanocomposite based on halloysite nanotubes and chitosan oligosaccharide, to be used as pour powder to enhance healing in the treatment of chronic wounds.The significance of the research consider two fundamental aspects: the first one is related to the development of a self-assembled nanocomposite, formed by spontaneous ionic interaction, while the second one is related to the possibility to find an effective treatment for cutaneous non healing lesions.The characterization of this hybrid system involved a multidisciplinary approach considering integrated techniques of solid state investigation and advanced electron microscopy techniques, and in vitro/in vivo models to understand biocompatibility and proliferation properties (enhancement of in vitro fibroblast motility, promoting both proliferation and migration, healing of burns in vivo), by using molecular biology test and histological evaluation to understand safety and effectiveness of the developed nanocomposite.

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