Preparation and functionalization of acetylsalicylic acid loaded chitosan/gelatin membranes from ethanol-based suspensions via electrophoretic deposition

Acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin, ASP), a frequently used analgesic and antipyretic drug, has prevailed for decades due to its multiple functions. To increase its solubility and maintain the topical and low-dose application, ethanol with electrophoretic deposition (EPD) was introduced. It was initially investigated to fabricate acetylsalicylic acid loaded chitosan/gelatin (CS/G) membranes via simple electrophoretic deposition under mild conditions. The spectrophotometry, SEM, FTIR and XRD results confirmed the entrapment of acetylsalicylic acid. FTIR spectra also indicated that new bonds were formed between acetylsalicylic acid and the CS/G membranes. The contact angle study confirmed the good hydrophilicity of the samples’ surfaces. The mechanical strengths of membranes were promoted due to the introduction of ethanol. The in vitro cellular study revealed the capacity of promoting osteogenic differentiation and little influence on the cell viability for BMSCs. All these results suggested that acetylsalicylic acid loaded CS/G membranes could be successfully fabricated via EPD and used for functionalizing the titanium substrate. These membranes loaded with other functional reagents, hydrosoluble or liposoluble, may also be promising for use in medical applications.