A sustained-release gel film based on chitosan for treating cutaneous candidiasis

Hydrogels have been widely used in wound dressings owing to their biocompatibility and bacteriostatic properties. In this study, a chitosan-citric acid gel film was prepared using chitosan as the raw material and citric acid as the acid solvent and cross-linking agent. In addition, to increase the antibacterial effect of the gel film, ketoconazole/β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex was prepared by inclusion technology and added to the gel film to prepare a chitosan-citric acid sustained-release gel film loaded with ketoconazole/β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex for treating cutaneous candidiasis. The physical and chemical properties of the chitosan-citric acid gel films were investigated using infrared spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, water vapor transmittance test, thermal analysis, and swelling tests. Drug release, antibacterial, and toxicity tests of the chitosan-citric acid gel film loading with ketoconazole/β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex were carried out in vitro. The composite film showed good sustained drug release behavior, antibacterial effects, and biocompatibility in vitro. These results support that the chitosan-citric acid hydrogel has great potential as a gel wound dressing for the treatment of cutaneous candidiasis.