Porous and hydrophilic biosilica diatomite-embedded foam dressing: Advancing wound healing through enhanced absorption

초록

A wound is a tissue defect caused by external stress. Prolonged exposure of wound without proper covering can delay healing and lead to bacterial infection. Foam dressings aid the wound healing by absorbing excess exudate. However, embedding materials that not only manage exudate but also actively interact with the wound environment can significantly enhance the healing process. In this study, the diatomite (DE), naturally found biosilica, was newly embedded into polyurethane (PU) foam to improve the absorption of exudate. DE treated with NaOH (tDE) increased surface hydroxyl groups, thereby enhancing its hydrophilicity. PU-tDE exhibited enhanced water and blood absorption, showing a 139% improvement compared to conventional PU foam. The uniformity of tDE dispersion was confirmed by consistent absorption values across (top, middle, bottom) sections, reflecting homogeneous integration into the foam. PU-tDE revealed biocompatibility (over 80%) and hemocompatibility (less than 2%) in cytotoxicity and hemolysis assays. In mouse experiments, wounds treated with PU-tDE exhibited near-complete healing by day 7, representing a 20% improvement compared to PU foam. The results demonstrate that DE promotes exudate absorption and accelerates wound healing. This study's findings support the potential use of DE as a low-cost, biofriendly additive to improve healing outcomes and promote tissue regeneration. © 2025

키워드