Bioactive and superabsorbent cellulosic dressing grafted alginate and Carthamus tinctorius polysaccharide extract for the treatment of chronic wounds

Diabetic foot ulcers have a negative impact on the lives of patients and are highly vulnerable to infection, leading to amputation too often. It is essential that the patient with a diabetic foot ulcer receives the best possible care. Herein, we developed a new functionalized cellulosic wound dressing with high-improved healing properties, able to be a serious alternative for diabetic acute wounds. First, a bioactive polysaccharide was extracted from the Carthamus tinctorius plant. Then a new crosslinked polymer-based alginate/ C. tinctorius polymer extract was prepared and checked for combined antimicrobial and tissue regeneration properties. Afterward, the efficiency of the textile functionalization process was optimized through studying the influence of different grafting parameters: curing conditions and the concentration of the impregnating solution. The drop method wettability technique exhibited significant improvement in the hydrophilicity behavior of treated textile samples, which increased with the grafting rate. Attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis or differential thermal analysis were investigated to test whether the chemical permanent grafting resisted the severe standard washing conditions. The tensile strength characteristics showed that the grafting does not affect the original mechanical properties of treated textile dressings. A morphological study via scanning electron microscopy images confirmed the permanent textile finishing performance and permitted us to assess its chemical grafting approach onto the treated surfaces. The biological and the bacteriological investigations of functionalized dressings proved that the functional biomaterial could be used as a medical bioactive device with improved biological properties.