Novel chitosan wound dressing loaded with minocycline for the treatment of severe burn wounds

Novel wound dressings composed of chitosan (CH) film and minocycline hydrochloride (MH) were prepared using commercial polyurethane film (Tegaderm) as a backing. CHs with deacetylation degrees of 67%, 83% and 96% (mol/mol), named CH67, CH83 and CH96, respectively, were used. Wound dressing with a large piece of Tegaderm film (4 cm × 4 cm), named CH-MH-N, and wound dressing prepared by cutting CH-MH-N to the wound size, named CH-MH-A, were developed. As CH67-MH-N and CH83-MH-N showed the sustained release of minocycline in vitro, CH67 and CH83 were used as chitosan in the in vivo studies. Various formulations were applied to severe burn wounds in rats in the early stage, and the wound status and change in the wound surface area were examined. The use of 10 mg of MH and complete sealing with Tegaderm had a negative effect. MH ointment was not effective, but Geben cream was fairly effective. However, CH83-MH-A containing 2 mg of MH (CH83-MH2-A) and CH83 film showed an excellent effect. Considering the elimination of pus, CH83-MH2-A tended to be better than CH83 film. CH83-MH2-A is suggested as a useful formulation for the treatment of severe burn wounds.