Phomopsidione-Loaded Chitosan Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Nanocomposite Dressing for Pressure Ulcers

Pressure ulcers are commonly associated with microbial infections on the wounds which require an effective wound dressing for treatment. Thus far, the available silver dressing has shown tremendous result, however, it may cause argyria and complicate the internal organ function. Hence, our study aims to develop and characterize phomopsidione-loaded chitosan-polyethylene glycol nanocomposite hydrogel (C/PEG/Ph) as an antimicrobial dressing. Physically, the C/PEG/Ph hydrogel demonstrated a uniform light blue color, soft, flexible, and elastic, with no aggregation form. The evaluation via Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) exposed the C/PEG/Ph hydrogel has a notable shift towards lower frequency at 1600 and 1554 cm-1. For drug release test, the phomopsidione attained plateau at 24 h, with a total release of 67.9 ± 6.4% from the C/PEG/Ph hydrogel. There was a null burst release effect discovered throughout the experimental period. The C/PEG/Ph hydrogel showed significant results against all 4 Gram-negative bacteria and 1 yeast, with 99.99-100% reduction of microbial growth. The findings revealed that the C/PEG/Ph hydrogel can potentially act as an antimicrobial dressing for pressure ulcers.