Fabrication and characterization of hemostatic wound dressing based on chitosan/tannic acid/zeolitic imidazole framework (ZIF-8) composite nanofibers

In this study, chitosan composite nanofibers containing tannic acid and zinc-based metal-organic framework (ZIF-8) were produced for application as a hemostatic wound dressing. First, metal-organic framework named zeolite imidazolate framework (ZIF-8) was synthesized and chitosan composite nanofibers containing tannic acid and ZIF-8 were fabricated through electrospinning. The effect of tannic acid and metal-organic framework on the morphology and hemostatic properties of chitosan nanofibers was studied. Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and blood coagulation tests were utilized. The study of the morphology of nanofibrous wound dressings shows the fabrication of uniform and bead-free nanofibers with an average diameter of 120 to 150 nm. The addition of tannic acid, due to the formation of hydrogen bonds and increasing the viscosity of the polymer solution, increased the diameter of chitosan nanofibers. Prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) tests, which check the performance of extrinsic and intrinsic pathway of blood coagulation, respectively, were used to evaluate the hemostatic activity of the fabricated wound dressings. The results show that the fabricated nanofibrous wound dressings significantly affect the extrinsic pathway of blood coagulation and factor VII, so that the blood coagulation time is reduced by 60% compared to the control sample. Due to the suitable structural and morphological properties of fabricated composite nanofibers, as well as their accelerated coagulation performance, they can be used as a suitable candidate in wound dressing applications.