Development of levan-based bioactive hydrogels containing herbal liposome for healing acute wounds

Recently, tissue engineering approaches have turned to active wound care products for the treatment of acute and chronic wounds with increasing incidence. Hydrogels in active wound care products are 3D polymeric scaffolds that provide the desired moisture balance in the wound area with their high water retention capacity. Thanks to their biocompatible properties, flexible and porous structures, and high hydrophilic properties, they are frequently preferred in the repair and regeneration of cells and tissues and controlled release of bioactive substances to the target area. In the production of hydrogels, which are ideal structures for wound care, natural polymers are preferred to synthetic polymers thanks to their biocompatible and bioactive properties. Levan polysaccharide, which consists of fructose monomers with β-(2-6) bonds, is used in food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and medical fields with its biocompatible, low internal viscosity and high adhesive properties. The high costs of production and purification limit the study and use of the related polymer. Especially through halophilic bacteria, levan polymer can be produced with high efficiency in non-sterile conditions and thus production costs can be reduced. Within the scope of this doctoral thesis, for the first time, the optimum conditions for levan production of Halomonas elongata 153B halophilic bacteria were determined by the Response Surface Method and levan-based hydrogel structures were developed with the polymer produced under optimum conditions. In order to provide cell regeneration, tissue integrity in a short time and to reduce infections in the wound area, extracts from the plants Plantago major L. and Plantago lanceolata L., commonly known as wound grass, which have medicinal importance, were obtained and extract-loaded liposome structures were developed for controlled release to the wound area. The wound healing efficacy of the composite material developed by loading herbal liposomes into levan-based hydrogel structures was evaluated in an in vitro wound model. Thus, a natural, biocompatible, biodegradable and functional wound care product containing herbal liposomes suitable for both clinical applications and point-of-care use has been developed. The developed bioactive hydrogels are a promising therapeutic approach for the healing of acute wounds.