Nano fibrous polyelectrolyte complex for rapid control of hemorrhage
View Patent ↗A polyelectrolyte complex includes nanofibers. The nanofibers include at least one polycationic component and at least one polyanionic component. The nanofibers have a diameter in a range of 20-100 nm. A process for preparing the complex, a method of using the complex, a kit which includes the complex, and a method of inhibiting loss of blood from a wound site by applying the complex to the wound site are also provided.
1 . A process for preparing a polyelectrolyte complex comprising nanofibers, said process comprising: (a) obtaining a solution-I comprising at least one polycationic component having a pH in a range of 3-5 (b) obtaining a solution-II comprising at least one polyanionic component having a pH in a range of 6-8; (c) mixing the solution-I and the solution-II by adding solution-I dropwise to solution-II to obtain a mixture; and (d) processing the mixture, wherein the processing comprises (i) sonicating the mixture to obtain a sonicated sample; and (ii) washing the sonicated sample with at least one organic solvent followed by drying the sample, in order to obtain the polyelectrolyte complex, wherein the complex has a pH in a range of 3-7.
2 . The process as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the at least one polycationic component is selected from a group consisting of chitosan or its derivatives, poly-L-lysine, and combinations thereof.
3 . The process as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the at least one polyanionic component is selected from a group consisting of alginate, hyaluronic acid, dextran sulfate, carrageenan, chondroitin sulfate, pectin, polygalacturonic acid, xanthan gum, heparin, salts thereof, and combinations thereof.
4 . The process as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the at least one polyanionic component and the at least one polycationic component has a weight ratio in a range of 80:20 to 20:80.
5 . The process as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the nanofibers have a diameter in a range of 20-100 nm.
6 . The process as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the complex further comprises at least one compound selected from a group consisting of at least one antimicrobial agent, at least one growth factor, at least one anti-inflammatory agent, at least one anti-histamine, at least one compound containing copper or silver ions, and combinations thereof.
7 . The process as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the complex is hemocompatible, biodegradable and non-cytotoxic.
8 . The process as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the complex has a surface area (without pore area) of 33.87 to 251.44 m 2 /g.