Development of Alginate/Carboxymethylcellulose Films Incorporated with <i>Canavalia ensiformis</i> Lectin (ConA) with Angiogenic Properties

The development of new materials for wound care is a critical area, focused on creating dressings with improved properties, such as high absorption, flexibility, and low cost. In this context, natural polymers such as alginate and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) emerge as promising choices, given their biodegradability and their ability to promote an ideal healing environment. Concomitantly, lectins with angiogenic potential have been extensively investigated for their ability to modulate cellular responses and induce the formation of new blood vessels. This research aims to incorporate the lectin from <i>Canavalia ensiformis</i> (ConA) into alginate and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) films to promote blood vessel growth and induce revascularization as a therapeutic approach. Film characterization and physicochemical tests showed efficient lectin/film incorporation, as observed through differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). DSC analysis showed that alginate/CMC films with ConA tend to retain less water, volatilizing more easily, with a temperature difference of 94 and 81 °C to 69 and 77 °C films containing ConA. In addition to the significantly prolonged retention capacity of ConA in the film, FTIR data suggest that ConA is anchored in the alginate matrix due to the cross-linked nature of the film chain, with minimal chemical interactions (or chemical bonds). Analysis of hemagglutinating activity and immunohistochemical assays showed an increase in the expression of the angiogenic factors TGF-β and VEGF. These results indicate that the biopolymers used are an effective alternative for wound treatment, pointing to future research into the development of therapeutic biofilms.