Evaluation of Dermal Irritancy Potential of Carboxymethyl-Chitosan Hydrogel and Poly-(Acrylic Acid) Chitin Hydrogel
Wilai Rattanatayarom DVM, MSc, Dr rer nat*, Somkiat Wattanasirichaigoon MD, FRCST**
Affiliation : * Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University ** Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University
Objective : The wound dressing synthesized from carboxymethylchitosan hydrogel (CM) and chitin-(polyacrylic
acid) hydrogel (PAA) were examined for their dermal irritation potential response using the Draize test.
Materials and Methods : Eighteen male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups (6 rats/each). Rats
in group 1 were designed as control, group 2 were treated with CM, and group 3 were treated with PAA. The
test materials diameter 1 x 1 cm were topically applied on the skin in group 2 and 3. Two skin sites (1 x 1 cm
in size) were located at the back. One site was intact and the other was abraded in such a way the stratum
corneum had no bleeding.
Result: After 24 and 72 hours of wrappings, the materials were removed and the test sites were evaluated in
terms of erythema and edema using adopted Draize scoring system. At the end of the experiment, all rats were
anesthesized with intravenous thiopental sodium. Blood samples from descending aorta were collected for
liver and kidney function test and all organs were weighed. The results of this experiment showed 1) no
irritation of both materials in this animal model; 2) no material-related induced liver and kidney dysfunction
and 3) organ weights had no significant difference between the groups.
Conclusion : Both CM and PAA should be considered safe to use in the purpose of wound dressing in further
clinical trials.
Keywords : Carboxymethylchitosan hydrogel, Chitin-(polyacrylic acid) hydrogel, Draize test
