Formulation and Evaluation of Metronidazole Loaded Biopolymer Hydrogel Films for Wound Healing Applications

This study is based on creating and assessing citric acid (CA) cross-linked biopolymer composite Metronidazole (MTZ) loaded hydrogel films for wound healing applications. Different concentrations of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (NaCMC), hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC), and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) were used to create hydrogel films using the solvent cast method. FTIR verified the chemical cross-linking (ester bond) between NaCMC and HPMC. WVTR for hydrogel films ranged between 167.10 ± 33 to 341.41 ± 18 g/m2 /day.S0 (Control) hydrogel film shows lowest tensile strength which indicates poor mechanical properties of this hydrogel film.Hydrogel films with more concentration of HPMC show a high swelling index initially but get dissolved completely within one hour, as the swelling index is inversely proportional to cross-linking density thus these results indicate poor cross-linking in S4 to S8 batches of film. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), results shows drug particles on surface of control (S0) hydrogel film reveal absence of crosslinker. CA crosslinked hydrogel film show smooth and uniform morphology.X-ray diffraction (XRD) observed the crystalline nature of drug and amorphous nature of hydrogel film. In vitro studies reveal sustained release of MTZ from hydrogel films. Antibacterial study and Antimicrobial activity were investigated against Bacteriod fragilis and Escherichia coli. The hemocompatibility test reveals the biocompatibility of cross-linked hydrogel films. Overall, outcomes strongly recommended the prospective use of prepared biopolymer composite hydrogel films in wound healing applications.