Document Type : Research Articles
Authors
1
Student Research Committee, Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences, Torbat Heydariyeh, Iran
2
Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Ir
3
Research Center of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical, Torbat Heydariyeh, Iran
4
Neuroscience Research Center, Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences, Torbat Heydariyeh, Iran
5
Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Neyshabur, Neyshabur, Iran
6
Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur, Iran
10.22067/jcmr.2026.94850.1119
Abstract
Hydrogels are ideal wound dressings because they maintain a moist environment and promote healing. In this study, chitosan, a biocompatible and antimicrobial polymer, was combined with crocin, a potent antioxidant derived from saffron, to enhance tissue repair through free radical scavenging.
Three hydrogel formulations were prepared: pure chitosan (CS), and chitosan loaded with 10% w/w (CS CR10) or 30% w/w (CS CR30) crocin. Physicochemical characterization by FE SEM, FT IR, porosity, swelling ratio, and water vapour transmission rate (WVTR) revealed uniform microporous networks with decreasing pore size (125 µm for CS, 113 µm for CS CR10, 87 µm for CS CR30) as crocin concentration increased. The highest porosity was observed in CS CR30 (70%), compared to approximately 60% for CS and CS CR10. All hydrogels exhibited high swelling capacity (equilibrium swelling ratios: CS 1850%, CS CR10 2100%, CS CR30 2280%) and appropriate WVTR values (2100–2450 g/m²/day), which are essential for maintaining a moist wound environment.
Biological evaluations included cytotoxicity (MTT assay on L929 fibroblasts) and wound healing capacity (scratch assay). Glutaraldehyde cross linking reduced cell viability due to residual toxicity (e.g., 45% viable cells for CS, 52% for CS CR10, 61% for CS CR30), whereas NaOH cross linked hydrogels showed good biocompatibility (>85% viability). Crocin containing hydrogels significantly enhanced wound closure: after 24 h, CS CR10 achieved 72% wound closure, and CS CR30 achieved 89% closure, compared to 55% for untreated controls. Antibacterial assays against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli showed no inhibition zones (negligible activity), indicating the need for additional antimicrobial agents for infected wounds.
In conclusion, the chitosan crocin hydrogel offers promising physicochemical stability and pro healing biological effects, particularly in promoting cell proliferation and wound closure. Therefore, it represents a promising candidate for future skin tissue engineering and wound dressing applications
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