Formulation of a Topical Tannic Acid and Chitosan Gel Haemostatic Drug Delivery System for Treatment of Wounds and Abrasions

Haemostatic agents accelerate blood clotting and help in wound healing processes for wounds or abrasions. The purpose of this study was to prepare and evaluate a haemostatic gauze impregnated with chitosan and tannic acid as two effective haemostatic agents. The haemostatic gauze was easy to prepare and produce by means of a simple solvent casting method followed by lyophylisation. Nine different concentration combinations of tannic acid and chitosan were impregnated onto a 50 mm x 50 mm 8 ply gauze strip and were prepared and evaluated for dissolution into simulated body fluid (SBF) and finally tested for in vitro blood clotting ability versus Quikclot© (a commercially imported haemostatic gauze).

There was an initial quick release of tannic acid from the haemostatic gauze strips within 60 secs and thereafter a constant release of tannic acid. The in vitro blood clotting ability was found to be better in all the formulated haemostatic gauze strips than that of Quikclot©. Best clotting extent was achieved from 0.5% w/v chitosan and 1% w/v tannic acid gauze strips at 180 secs. In conclusion, the combination of tannic acid and chitosan haemostatic gauze strips developed in this study presents an inexpensive and effective alternative to importing haemostatic gauzes and bandages.