Desenvolvimento de hidrogéis de alginato contendo gel de babosa com potencial cicatrizante

Abstract

The treatment of chronic wounds is a highly dynamic and variable process. There are several types of curatives for the treatment of chronic. Alginate is a biopolymer extracted from brown algae that is widely used in the manufacture of wound dressings. Alginate hydrogels absorb water and keep the wound moist, providing a suitable environment for cell growth and proliferation. The healing effect of alginate can be enhanced by natural compounds. However, there are no alginate dressings containing medicinal plant extracts with a healing effect. Aloe barbadensis Mill., popularly known as aloe vera, has anti-inflammatory and healing actions. The aim of the present study was to obtain and characterize the physicochemical properties of alginate hydrogels containing aloe vera gel and evaluate the in vitro healing effect. The formulations were submitted to evaluation of pH, viscosity, relative density, spreadability, organoleptic characteristics and accelerated stability test. An alginate hydrogel formulation containing aloe vera gel with the best profile for topical use was selected for in vitro assays: cell viability by MTT and SRB methods and cell migration by Scratch assay, using fibroblasts cells. The physical-chemical tests showed that the formulations are stable and have a pH compatible with the skin. The spreadability and viscosity values varied according to the polymeric composition of the formulations. In the in vitro cell viability assay, it was observed that the cell morphology was not altered, as well as viability and multiplication capacity of the cells. In the in vitro cell migration assay, when compared to the control, the formulation with aloe gel accelerated the cell migration process. The results confirmed the possibility of incorporating aloe vera gel in alginate hydrogels, obtaining stable formulations suitable fortopical use with potential as wound healing materials.