In vivo wound healing efficacy of pectinbased biopolymeric films with nanosilver and plant extracts

Abstract

Polymers play an essential role in our everyday life. They are mainly classified as natural and synthetic polymers. Natural polymers are primarily found in biological systems, while synthetic polymers are produced by chemical processes, most often from fossil fuel-based feedstocks. Despite the advantages they offer, synthetic polymers have long been associated with undesirable impacts on environmental and human health. Hence, the focus of research and product development has a welcome shift from conventional polymers to biopolymers. Biopolymers are typically obtained from renewable materials like plants, animals and microbes and thus pose a lesser threat to the environment. Most of them are biodegradable and can be fabricated to be disposed of in soil, like other natural materials. Polysaccharides, polyamides and polynucleotides are the main classifications of natural polymers. Among them, polysaccharide-based biopolymers such as pectin, chitosan, cellulose, alginate and starch are widely used in biomedical applications. Research has shown that the inherent lack of mechanical strength and barrier properties of these biopolymers could be rectified by blending them with other polymers or making a composite with reinforcing agents such as fibers, nano clay and nano metal oxides. newlineAmong the various biopolymers, pectin, chitosan, gellan gum and carrageenan have found extensive use in food packaging, wound dressing, drug delivery and tissue engineering applications because of their low cost, inherent biocompatibility, excellent film-forming ability and compatibility to form blends (with other polymers) and composites (with a host of natural and synthetic reinforcing materials). newline