Curativos poliméricos contendo Ciprofloxacino e um complexo de inclusão de óleo essencial de Melaleuca Alternifolia e Y-Ciclodextrina para o tratamento de úlceras por pressão

Abstract

In an attempt to enhance and address inconveniences in pressure ulcer treatment procedures, the use of polymeric dressings has proven to be an excellent alternative. They possess biodegradable characteristics, ensuring a less painful process for the patient and optimizing the healing period. The employment of polymers such as chitosan, a compound abundant in nature, exhibiting bioadhesive, biocompatible, permeability, and non-toxic properties, has shown promise in the development of films for therapeutic purposes. This system allows for the incorporation of actives aiding the healing process and inhibiting the proliferation of opportunistic microorganisms, such as ciprofloxacin, an antimicrobial compound, and Melaleuca alternifolia essential oil, which has shown promise against bacteria and as an anti-inflammatory agent by reducing the production of tumor necrosis factor, interleukins, and prostaglandins. Therefore, the objective of this study was to formulate a chitosan polymeric dressing containing ciprofloxacin and Melaleuca alternifolia essential oil through the inclusion of the essential oil in γ-cyclodextrin, dispersed in the polymeric matrix. The complexes were obtained through the co-precipitation method, and the dressings were produced using the solvent evaporation method. To assess the effectiveness of the inclusion complex, antimicrobial evaluation was performed using the microdilution test in a 96-well plate. Subsequently, the dressings were characterized physicochemically through tests such as bending resistance, wetting by contact angle, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TG), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and evaluation of the hemolytic potential of the samples. The obtained complexes appeared as easily soluble white powder in water and exhibited bactericidal and bacteriostatic activity against ATCC strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The obtained dressings showed a homogeneous translucent character, indicating successful incorporation of the inclusion complex formed. Bending resistance indicated that samples containing a lower amount of incorporated active ingredients, specifically 2mg of ciprofloxacin and 3mg of the inclusion complex, exhibited greater flexibility and resistance. Contact angle wetting indicated that the samples had a hydrophilic character. In the infrared spectra, characteristic functional groups were displayed, such as the O-H stretching in the range of 3586 cm-1, confirming the interaction between the essential oil and cyclodextrin in the formation of the inclusion complex. Thermogravimetric analysis showed similar characteristics of mass loss among the samples, with the profile related to isolated chitosan prevailing. X-ray diffractograms demonstrated a decrease in the crystallinity of ciprofloxacin when incorporated into the polymeric matrix, and in the hemolysis rate test, the samples showed Hemocompatibility. Therefore, all the obtained data suggest the incorporation of Melaleuca alternifolia essential oil into the polymeric matrix, demonstrating promising potential for advancing in the development of these membranes as an innovative alternative for the pharmaceutical treatment of pressure ulcers.