A covalently cross-linked hyaluronic acid/bacterial cellulose composite hydrogel for potential biological applications

• Published in: Carbohydrate polymers Vol. 252; p. 117123
• Main Authors: Tang, Shuo, Chi, Kai, Xu, Hui, Yong, Qiang, Yang, Jian, Catchmark, Jeffrey M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 15.01.2021
• Subjects: Acetobacteraceae - metabolism; Animals; Bacterial cellulose; Bandages; BDDE; Biocompatibility; Biocompatible Materials - chemistry; Biocompatible Materials - pharmacology; Biocomposite; Butylene Glycols - chemistry; Cell Adhesion - drug effects; Cell Line; Cell Proliferation - drug effects; Cellulose - chemistry; Cellulose - pharmacology; Cross-linked hydrogel; Elastic Modulus; Fibroblasts; Hyaluronic acid; Hyaluronic Acid - chemistry; Hyaluronic Acid - pharmacology; Hydrogels - chemistry; Hydrogels - pharmacology; Mice; Solubility; Temperature; Tensile Strength; Bacterial cellulose; Biocompatibility; Hyaluronic acid; BDDE; Biocomposite; Cross-linked hydrogel
• ISSN: 0144-8617; 1879-1344
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2020.117123

[Display omitted] •BC and HA were covalently crosslinked by BDDE.•Crosslinked BC/HA composites exhibited a denser and smoother surface.•BDDE crosslinking improved water retention capability, dimensional stability, and elongation at break of BC/HA composites .•Crosslinked BC/HA composites significantly promoted cell proliferation. Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a good material candidate for wound dressing because of its fine 3-D network structure, high mechanical strength and water holding capability, and good biocompatibility. In this study, a composite hydrogel was prepared by using 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether (BDDE) to cross-link BC and hyaluronic acid (HA). Cross-linked BC/HA composites exhibited a denser and smoother surface. This dense morphology improved water retention capability and dimensional stability. BDDE cross-linked BC/HA composite with 2% HA and 1% BDDE showed better overall properties, including water stability (12.7 % water solubility), mechanical properties (tensile strength: ∼ 0.61 MPa and Young’s modulus: ∼1.62 MPa) and thermal stability (maximum degradation temperature: 360 °C), as compared to BC/HA without crosslinking. In addition, cell toxicity assays and morphology indicated the BDDE cross-linked BC/HA composite significantly promoted cell proliferation and adhesion. This chemically cross-linked BC/HA composite may have many new biomedical applications in wound care.