Obtaining a freeze-dried biomaterial for skin regeneration: Reinforcement of the microstructure through the use of crosslinkers and in vivo application

Scaffolds are one of the emerging alternatives to the traditional techniques of tissue and organ repair and regeneration. They offer the necessary support to the healthy formation of new tissues. Highly porous and interconnected scaffolds for skin regeneration were manufactured and studied with two types of crosslinking, genipin and glutaraldehyde. Two accessible biopolymers, chitosan and gelatin, were used together as matrix and were incorporated with snail mucus and aloe vera like additives. The microstructure and thermal properties analysis determined that the best crosslinker was glutaraldehyde, presenting a more homogeneous range of pore sizes, uniform distribution of the porous structure and higher denaturation temperatures showing a greater degree of crosslinking and stabilization. Thus, in vivo studies were conducted with the implantation of these scaffolds in mice after causing a burn wound. The addition of Aloe vera in the scaffolds is highlighted, apparently the large number of glycoproteins present in Aloe vera were able to integrate well into the scaffolds. Their diffusion towards the damaged tissue allowed accelerated healing and injury reduction. The material made with aloe vera crosslinked with glutaraldehyde showed promising results in accelerating the healing process in vivo studies, suggesting a great skin substitute for wound healing applications.