A series of novel
polyurethane/
siloxane-based
wound dressing membranes was prepared through
sol-gel reaction of methoxysilane end-functionalized
urethane prepolymers composed of
castor oil and ricinoleic methyl
ester as well as methoxysilane functional
aniline tetramer (AT) moieties. The samples were fully characterized and their physicochemical, mechanical, electrical, and
biological properties were assayed. The
biological activity of these dressings against fibroblast cells and couple of microbes was also studied. It was revealed that samples that displayed electroactivity by introduction of AT moieties showed a broad range of antimicrobial activity toward different microorganisms, promising
antioxidant (radical scavenging) efficiency and significant activity for stimulation of fibroblast cell growth and proliferation. Meanwhile, these samples showed appropriate tensile strength and ability for maintaining a moist environment over a
wound by controlled equilibrium water absorption and
water vapor transmission rate. The selected electroactive dressing was subjected to an in vivo assay using a rat animal model and the wound healing process was monitored and compared with analogous dressing without AT moieties. The recorded results showed that the electroactive dressings induced an increase in the rate of
wound contraction, promoted
collagen deposition, and encouraged vascularization in the wounded area. On the basis of the results of in vitro and in vivo assays, the positive influence of designed dressings for accelerated healing of a
wound model was confirmed.