Preparation and characterization of a Schiff-based chitosan-fructose quaternary ammonium salt for medical applications

The aim of this study was to develop a new chitosan derivative and investigate its effects on fresh tissue healing in rats. A chitosan-fructose Schiff based quaternary ammonium salt (CS = Fru-DEAE) was synthesized for the first time and characterized using FT-IR and 1HNMR, and the modification rate and the solution properties were studied. A rat wound model was established, and the experimental group was treated using 0.1 g of the chitosan derivative hydrogel. The wound healing rate, and the concentration of collagen III and proline in the wounds were assessed in the experimental group and compared with those of the control group at 7, 10, and 15 d. The CS = Fru-DEAE hydrogel demonstrated good performance and promoted the healing of infected wounds in rats. The hydrogel could accelerate the infiltration of inflammatory cells and increase the amount of type III collagen in the wound area, which likely contributed to its efficacy.