Possibility of Wound Dressing Using Poly(L-leucine)/poly(ethylene glycol)/poly(L-leucine) Triblock Copolymer

ABA-type block copolymers composed of poly(L-leucine)(PLL) as the A component and poly(ethylene glycol)(PEG) as the B component were synthesized by ring-opening polymerization of L-leucine N-carboxyanhydride initiated by primary amino group located at both ends of PEG chain. A silver sulfadiazine(AgSD)-impregnated wound dressing of sponge-type was prepared by the lyophilization method. Morphological structure of this wound dressing obtained by scanning electron microscopy(SEM) was composed of a dense skin layer and a macroporous inner sponge layer. Equilibrium water content(EWC) of wound dressing was above 10%. It increased with an increased of PEO content in the block copolymer due to the hydrophilicity of PEO. AgSD release from AgSD- impregnated wound dressing in PBS buffer(pH=7.4) was dependent on PEG composition in the block copolymer. Therefore, EWC and release of AgSD can be control by PEG composition. Antibacterial capacity of AgSD-impregnated wound dressing was examined in agar plate against Pseudmonas aeruginosa and Stapplococus aruous. Cytotoxicity of the wound dressing was evaluated by studing mouse skin fibroblast(L929). From the behavior of antimicrobial releasing and the investigation of the suppression of bacterial proliferation, it was supposed that the wound dressing containing antibiotics could protect the wound surfaces from bacterial invasion to suppress the bacterial proliferation effectively. In cytotoxicity observation, cellular damage was reduced by the control led released of AgSD from the LEL sponge matrix of AgSD-medicated wound dressing. In vivo test, granulous tissue formation and wound contraction or the AgSD and DHEA impregnated wound dressing were aster than any other groups.