Falkenbergia rufolanosa polysaccharide - poly (vinyl alcohol) composite films: A promising wound healing agent against dermal laser burns in rats

Abstract This work was conducted to evaluate the compatibility between physicochemical, antioxidant and morphological properties of polysaccharide (FRP) extracted from red marine alga Falkenbergia rufolanosa reinforced by poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) composed films at different ratios of FRP/PVA: F1 (70:30), F2 (50:50), F3 (30:70) and PVA (100 % PVA) and the potential wound healing effects. As assessed, FRP/PVA prepared films were heterogeneous, slightly opaque with a rough surface as ascertained by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and colorimetric parameters. Even, X-ray diffraction and glass transition results revealed a semi-crystalline structure of FRP composed films which decreased with increasing PVA ratios. The antioxidant activities of composite films depicted that F1 exhibited the highest antioxidant activity in vitro. Therefore, F1 was found to promote significantly the wound healing, after eight days of treatment, evidenced by higher wound appearance scores and a higher content of collagen (885.12±20.35 mg/g of tissue) confirmed by histological examination, when compared with control, CYTOL BASIC® and PVA-treated groups. All together, the marine-derived polysaccharide gave a substantial pledge for the development of biodegradable films as a potent antioxidant material and a promising agent for tissue regeneration.