PVA-gelatin hydrogels containing rosemary essential oil for wound dressings

Wound healing represents one of the most important processes evaluated in the biomedical field. In this regard, healing is defined as a dynamic and complex process in which the tissue integrity and the normal functions of the damaged tissue are restored. The purpose of this research was to achieve the main characteristics of an ideal wound dressing to prevent maceration, provide a moist environment, remove the exudate that is accumulated from the wound and to maintain a proper permeability to the wound bed. Different hydrogels were designed and developed through the esterification reaction of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with gelatin (GELL). The hydrogels were prepared in various weight ratios of PVA:GELL (4:1 and 1:4), by adding rosemary essential oil as an active compound. The incorporation of Rosemarinus officinalis L (rosemary) essential oil in PVA/GELL hydrogels represents a potential method for the improvement of the wound healing process. Further, the developed hydrogels were applied by immersion on cotton gauze. The synthetized specimens were evaluated from morphological and rheological point of view, by performing Optical Microscopy, fluid uptake ability and porosity measurements.