DEVELOPMENT OF A CHITOSAN-BASED SCAFFOLD INCORPORATING BAICALIN AND EUGENOL FOR ANTIMICROBIAL THERAPY

Abstract Background: The increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains necessitates the development of novel antimicrobial delivery systems. Chitosan-based scaffolds represent a promising platform for localized antimicrobial therapy due to their inherent biocompatibility, biodegradability, and antimicrobial properties. Objective: This study aimed to develop and characterize chitosan-based scaffolds incorporating baicalin and eugenol as bioactive antimicrobial agents, and to evaluate their physicochemical properties, morphological characteristics, and antimicrobial efficacy. Methods: Nine scaffold formulations (F1-F9) were prepared using a 32 full factorial design with varying concentrations of baicalin (1%, 2%, 3% w/v) and eugenol (0.5%, 1%, 1.5% v/v). Scaffolds were fabricated using solvent casting followed by glutaraldehyde crosslinking. Characterization included pH measurement, viscosity analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), mechanical testing, swelling studies, drug content analysis, antimicrobial activity testing against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, and in vitro drug release studies. Results: All formulations exhibited pH values between 5.60 and 5.93, suitable for topical applications. Viscosity ranged from 189.3 to 230.4 cP, with higher values observed in formulations containing elevated active ingredient concentrations. SEM analysis revealed porous structures with pore sizes ranging from 52.4 to 78.5 μm. FTIR confirmed successful incorporation of both bioactive agents without chemical incompatibility. Encapsulation efficiency exceeded 95% for both compounds. Formulation F3 (3% baicalin, 1.5% eugenol) demonstrated the highest swelling ratio (265.9%), maximum cumulative drug release (79.9% baicalin, 97.4% eugenol at 12 hours), and superior antimicrobial activity with inhibition zones of 16.77 mm against S. aureus and 15.27 mm against E. coli. Stability studies confirmed acceptable retention of properties over one month at both refrigerated and room temperature conditions. Keywords: Chitosan scaffold; Baicalin; Eugenol; Antimicrobial; Drug delivery; Wound healing; Tissue engineering.