Preparation and evaluation of chitosan/ellagic acid/erythrocyte membrane lipid hemostatic composite sponge

BACKGROUND: Some previous studies have indicated that the hemostatic effect of chitosan is limited when dealing with severe injuries. Therefore, the procoagulant activity of chitosan-based hemostatic agents needs to be enhanced. OBJECTIVE: To prepare a novel chitosan/ellagic acid/erythrocyte membrane lipid composite sponge and to evaluate its procoagulant activity and cytotoxicity. METHODS: Chitosan sponge and chitosan acetate sponge were prepared by freeze-drying method. Then chitosan/ellagic acid/erythrocyte membrane lipid composite sponge was prepared by electrostatic adsorption method. Procoagulant activity of the chitosan, chitosan acetate, and chitosan/ellagic acid/erythrocyte membrane lipid sponges was evaluated by the plasma recalcification time method. Hemostatic effect of these sponges was evaluated in the Sprague Dawley rat liver bleeding model, and the cytotoxicity to L929 cell line was evaluated. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The plasma recalcification time, bleeding time and blood loss of the chitosan/ellagic acid/erythrocyte membrane lipid composite sponge group were significantly lower than those of the chitosan sponge and chitosan acetate sponge groups (P < 0.01). Cell culture experiment showed that the chitosan/ellagic acid/erythrocyte membrane lipid composite sponge did not have cytotoxicity. The results indicate that the chitosan/ellagic acid/erythrocyte membrane lipid composite sponge has the enhanced procoagulant activity and non-cytotoxicity.