Synthesis and Characterization of a Self-Crosslinked Organic Copolymer Kappa-Carrageenan/Polyacrylamide/Cetrimide (κ-CAR/PAAm/CI) Hydrogel with Antimicrobial and Anti-Inflammatory Activities for Wound Healing

The current study aimed to produce a material that has dual effects of healing and anti-inflammatory activity. For this purpose, a κ-carrageenan/polyacrylamide film loaded with cetrimide (κ-CAR/PAAm/CI) was developed using the manual casting technique. Definite concentrations of κ-CAR and AAm were heated at 80 °C for 2 h, and CI and glycerol were added. The solution was cast without using an initiator or crosslinker. The reaction of the sulfonic acid group -SO3H of κ-CAR with the –CONH2 group of PAAm lead to the formation of a sulfonamide (–SO2NH–) group. The characteristics of the produced films were investigated based on FT-IR, TGA, the contact angle, and mechanical properties. An improvement in the thermal stability of the κ-CAR/PAAm/CI2 film containing 1.5% CI was achieved, compared to the film with 0.5% CI (κ-CAR/PAAm/CI1). The contact angle measurement proved that the films were hydrophobic, enhanced by increasing the CI content. The tensile strength and elongation percent values are considered adequate for materials used in wound care. The κ-CAR/PAAm/CI2 (1.5% CI) film showed superior antimicrobial activity against P. aeruginosa, moderate activity against S. aureus, and low activity against E. coli. The κ-CAR/PAAm/CI2 film effectively inhibited heat-induced hemolysis and showed wound contraction activity at a level of 100% after 19 days of excision wound treatment. The prepared films may offer a promising approach for the development of effective wound dressings.