Development of clindamycin-loaded alginate/pectin/hyaluronic acid composite hydrogel film for the treatment of MRSA-infected wounds

Purpose Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection on wounds possesses a high risk in increased cases of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Antibiotic-loaded composite biopolymer flm wound dressings are one approach to cover the chronic wound area, promote the healing process, and create suitable healing environments. In this study, we developed clindamycin (Cly)-loaded composite biopolymer flms using hydrogel-forming biopolymers, such as sodium alginate (SA), pectin (P), and hyaluronic acid (HA) for the treatment of MRSA-infected wounds. Methods Composite flms were prepared using a solvent casting method. Cly-loaded composites hydrogel flms were evalu- ated for their physical properties (e.g., flm thickness, surface morphology, pH, water vapor transmission, expansion profle, and fuid uptake), in vitro drug release, in vitro bactericidal efects, and in vivo wound healing activity in an ICR mouse model of MRSA-infected wounds. Results Thin, transparent, and highly absorbent Cly-loaded SA-P (Cly/SA-P) and Cly-loaded SA-P-HA (Cly/SA-P-HA) flm dressings were successfully prepared with good physical properties. The Cly/SA-P and Cly/SA-P-HA flms exhibited drug release over 12 h under immersed conditions and potent antibacterial activity against MRSA (>5 log reduction in bacterial viability). Furthermore, compared with the other groups, the Cly/SA-P-HA-treated group signifcantly accelerated the heal- ing and re-epithelialization of wounds in a mouse model of MRSA-infected wounds. All prepared flm dressings were not toxic to healthy fbroblast cells. Conclusion Thus, the Cly-loaded composite hydrogel flm prepared in this study could be a promising wound dressing for the treatment of infected cutaneous wounds.