Enhanced angiogenesis with nitric oxide releasing chitosan-pva hydrogel for wound healing

Abstract

Statement of Purpose: Nitric oxide (NO) released from endothelial cells endogenously promotes angiogenesis. The potential of using exogenous NO for enhancing faster healing of acute and chronic wounds have also been supported by earlier work (Wo, Y., Biomater. Sci, 2016. 4(8), 1161-1183). However, fast and burst release of NO from its donors such as S-Nitroso-N-acetyl-DL-penicillamine (SNAP) has limited its applicability in faster healing of wounds. Herein, we report the development of an NO releasing chitosan-PVA hydrogel incorporated with NO donor (SNAP). The result showed that the release profile of NO releasing chitosan-PVA hydrogel maintains a controlled and sustained release of NO for five days. The in vivo studies showed a significant increase in the size, number and branching network of newly formed blood vessels in chick embryo model. The study described here exhibits that NO releasing chitosan-PVA hydrogels could be an effective dressing for faster healing of acute and chronic wounds.