A chitosan/hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose composite sponge with shape memory for rapid hemostasis†

Abstract

Deaths from uncontrollable hemorrhage continue to be a worldwide concern. However, traditional hemostatic methods are not powerful enough for the rapid control of wound bleeding. Developing shape-memory hemostatic sponges with high liquid absorption rates and good mechanical properties for the rapid control of bleeding wounds remains challenging. In this study, shape memory hemostatic composite sponges were prepared from chitosan, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose and glutaraldehyde. The chitosan/hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose/glutaraldehyde (CHG) hemostatic composite sponges possessed a highly interconnected macroporous structure. The CHG composite sponges could rapidly absorb blood and revert to its original shape. In addition, the CHG composite sponges had good compressive properties and compressive stability, which could maintain their original shape even after undergoing 10 cycles compression test. The good biocompatibility of the obtained CHG composite sponges was confirmed via hemocompatibility tests, cytotoxicity and skin irritation tests. The excellent hemostasis properties of CHG composite sponges were demonstrated in vitro via whole blood coagulation assay, while the SD rat liver injury model showed a ∼65% reduction in blood loss compared with the blank group. Therefore, CHG composite sponges hold great potential as new hemostatic materials and offer a novel approach for designing efficient hemostatic materials.