Novel chlorhexidine dermal patches, preparation characterization and antimicrobial evaluation

Recent Advances in Using Natural Antibacterial Additives in Bioactive Wound Dressings

Wound care is a global health issue with a financial burden of up to US $96.8 billion annually in the USA alone. Chronic non-healing wounds which show delayed and incomplete healing are especially problematic. Although there are more than 3000 dressing types in the wound management market, new developments in more efficient wound dressings will require innovative approaches such as embedding antibacterial additives into wound-dressing materials. The lack of novel antibacterial agents and the misuse of current antibiotics have caused an increase in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) which is estimated to cause 10 million deaths by 2050 worldwide. These ongoing challenges clearly indicate an urgent need for developing new antibacterial additives in wound dressings targeting microbial pathogens. Natural products and their derivatives have long been a significant source of pharmaceuticals against AMR. Scrutinising the data of newly approved drugs has identified plants as one of the biggest and most important sources in the development of novel antibacterial drugs. Some of the plant-based antibacterial additives, such as essential oils and plant extracts, have been previously used in wound dressings; however, there is another source of plant-derived antibacterial additives, i.e., those produced by symbiotic endophytic fungi, that show great potential in wound dressing applications. Endophytes represent a novel, natural, and sustainable source of bioactive compounds for therapeutic applications, including as efficient antibacterial additives for chronic wound dressings. This review examines and appraises recent developments in bioactive wound dressings that incorporate natural products as antibacterial agents as well as advances in endophyte research that show great potential in treating chronic wounds.

Topical Antiseptic Formulations for Skin and Soft Tissue Infections

Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are usually acute conditions of inflammatory microbial occupation of the skin layers and underlying soft tissues. SSTIs are one of the most frequent types of infection, typically requiring medical intervention and contribute to morbidity and mortality in both primary care and hospitalised patients. Due to the dramatic rise of antibiotic resistance, antiseptic agents can be potential alternatives for the prevention and treatment of SSTIs. Notably, they are commonly recommended in many global practical guidelines for use in per- and post- operative procedures. A range of antiseptics, including chlorhexidine, triclosan, alcohol, and povidone-iodine, are used and are mainly formulated as traditional, simple dosage forms such as solutions and semi-solids. However, in recent years, there have been studies reporting the potential for nanotechnology in the delivery of antiseptics. In this review, we have collated the scientific literature that focuses on topical antiseptic formulations for prevention and treatment of SSTIs, and have divided findings into traditional and advanced formulations. We conclude that although nanotechnological formulations have demonstrated potential advantages for delivering drugs; nevertheless, there is still scope for traditional formulations and further development of optimised topical formulations to address the rise of antimicrobial resistance.

Combination of Beta Glucan, Honey and Chlorhexidine in the Wound Management in a Cat a Case Report

Wound management is one of the oldest and one of the most frequent therapeutic activities in medicine. Over the centuries there has been described and tested many therapeutic substances for the treatment of wounds with various effects. Due to the discovery of antibiotics, a wound management regime used to be limited only to a local application. Over years, it has been shown, that comprehensive therapy which uses only antibacterial preparations, also may contain some negative points (resistance of aggressive pathogens, toxicity, allergic reactions, etc.). According to studies, the best solution to this problem is a local application, using preparations that ensure the sterility of the affected parts of the skin, and the utilization of agents that are able to accelerate the granulation and lead to the healing process of the wound. Products that contain beta glucan combined with a gentle but effective antiseptics (chlorhexidine digluconate), or natural substance with antiseptic and also nourishment effect (honey), are very beneficial in wound management. A good penetration of active agents, the ability to moisturize defective tissues, and to make a protective film that hinder the intersection of impurities and decrease secondary contamination, are the benefits of a gel formulation, that is the most appropriate external form of application in veterinary practice that can improve and accelerate a successful healing process of wounds in animals.