Development of Smart pH-Sensitive Collagen-Hydroxyethylcellulose Films with Naproxen for Burn Wound Healing


Tudoroiu E., Albu Kaya M. G., Dinu-Pîrvu C. E., Popa L., Anuța V., Ignat M., ...Daha Fazla

Pharmaceuticals, cilt.18, sa.5, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 18 Sayı: 5
  • Basım Tarihi: 2025
  • Doi Numarası: 10.3390/ph18050689
  • Dergi Adı: Pharmaceuticals
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, EMBASE, Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: burn wound healing, colorimetric pH detection, drug release, pH-sensitive films, phenol red indicator, smart polymeric dressing
  • Hatay Mustafa Kemal Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Background: Developing versatile dressings that offer wound protection, maintain a moist environment, and facilitate healing represents an important therapeutic approach for burn patients. Objectives: This study presents the development of new smart pH-sensitive collagen-hydroxyethylcellulose films, incorporating naproxen and phenol red, designed to provide controlled drug release while enabling real-time pH monitoring for burn care. Methods: Biopolymeric films were prepared by the solvent-casting method using ethanol and glycerol as plasticizers. Results: Orange-colored films were thin, flexible, and easily peelable, with uniform, smooth, and nonporous morphology. Tensile strength varied from 0.61 N/mm2 to 3.33 N/mm2, indicating improved mechanical properties with increasing collagen content, while wetting analysis indicated a hydrophilic surface with contact angle values between 17.61° and 75.51°. Maximum swelling occurred at pH 7.4, ranging from 5.65 g/g to 9.20 g/g and pH 8.5, with values from 4.74 g/g to 7.92 g/g, suggesting effective exudate absorption. In vitro degradation proved structural stability maintenance for at least one day, with more than 40% weight loss. Films presented a biphasic naproxen release profile with more than 75% of the drug released after 24 h, properly managing inflammation and pain on the first-day post-burn. The pH variation mimicking the stages of the healing process demonstrated the color transition from yellow (pH 5.5) to orange (pH 7.4) and finally to bright fuchsia (pH 8.5), enabling easy visual evaluation of the wound environment. Conclusions: New multifunctional films combine diagnostic and therapeutic functions, providing a promising platform for monitoring wound healing, making them suitable for real-time wound assessment.