Development of a PVP/kappa-carrageenan/PEG hydrogel dressing for wound healing applications in Sri Lanka

Research was carried out to develop a wound dressing hydrogel using polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), kappa carrageenan and polyethylene glycol (PEG) by Co60 gamma irradiation. The gel has a soothing effect and it is not necessary to change the dressing too often. This gel is suitable for the tropical conditions of Sri Lanka and has a comparatively long shelf-life. The cost is affordable. Aqueous solutions of PVP & kappa-carrageenan were mixed with low molecular weight PEG to form the pseudogel which was then subjected to 25kGy irradiation. Absorption behaviour in distilled water, 9% saline water and pseudoextracellular fluid, tensile properties, bio-adhesion onto human skin and sterility/shelf-life were studied in comparison with commercial hydrogels. The chemical and physical behaviour of the PVP/carrageenan/PEG hydrogel were further studied by analyzing FTIR spectra and SEM images. The observations made in the study concluded that the properties of the developed hydrogel are comparable to that of the commercial hydrogels, to the level required to apply as a wound dressing. The results obtained from testing and analysis of the hydrogel further confirm that the PVP/carrageenan/PEG hydrogel has been developed to the point where it is ready to proceed to clinical trials. Keywords: Gamma irradiation, hydrogel, kappa-carrageenan, polyethyleneglycol (PEG), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), wound dressing. Doi: 10.4038/jnsfsr.v39i1.2920 J.Natn.Sci.Foundation Sri Lanka 2011 39 (1): 25-33