Chitosan-based hydrogel film incorporated with Citrus limon (lemon) essential oil as a potential burn wound dressing: Synthesis, physico-chemical, and antimicrobial evaluation.

Abstract

Severe skin injury caused by burns may be accompanied by uncontrolled microbial infection and disrupted wound healing. Dressings play a crucial role in the management of burn wounds. The present research focuses on developing a novel polymer-based hydrogel film consisting of chitosan, gallic acid-grafted gelatin, sodium alginate, and Citrus limon (lemon) essential oil to enhance wound healing by synergistic antimicrobial and antioxidant activity. Most traditional dressings are weak maintainers of moisture and antimicrobial defense, which can result in longer healing times and infection risk. The inclusion of Citrus limon essential oil is an enhancement of antimicrobial activity against common wound pathogens and provision of antioxidant value, essential in minimizing oxidative stress in healing tissues. The characterization of mechanical properties, water vapor transmission rate, and swelling behavior of the hydrogel (952.1660 mg of fluid over 24 h) confirmed that this hydrogel would be suitable for dressing wounds. The optical microscopic image displays well-defined droplets of Citrus limon essential oil encapsulated in the hydrogel film. The sustained release of Citrus limon essential oil can significantly improve wound healing. The prepared hydrogel exhibited excellent antimicrobial ability (2-32 μl/mL against bacteria and 1-16 μl/mL against fungi), antioxidant properties (83 %), and in vitro cyto- and hemocompatibility. Its ability to release active ingredients in a controlled manner helps reduce harmful effects on cells, promotes faster healing, and lowers the risk of infections, making it a promising option for future clinical use.