PVA hydrogels loaded with a Brazilian propolis for burn wound healing applications

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Abstract
PVA hydrogels offer many suitable characteristics for burn wound dressings. However, unmodified PVA gels do not act against infection. Propolis is a natural antimicrobial agent suitable for incorporation into PVA gels. PVA–propolis gels were produced by freeze–thawing method, and their microstructure, mechanical, and swelling properties (in standard PBS and a PBS‐based solution with pH 4.0) were characterized. The propolis release profiles and the gel's antibacterial and cytotoxicity properties were also investigated. The presence of propolis in the gels interfered with the PVA crystallization profile and with the mechanical properties. All samples swelled at least 400% in both media. The propolis was mostly released to the media in the first day of immersion. PVA–propolis gels with concentrations of 15% propolis or more were active against the gram‐positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, which is associated with initial colonization of the wound. All PVA–propolis samples acted as barriers to microbial penetration. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42129.
Funding Information
  • Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico
  • Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior

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