Medical Plaster Enhancement by Coating with Cistus L. Extracts within a Chitosan Matrix: From Natural Complexity to Health Care Simplicity

Our investigation was focused on the preparation and characterization of novel plasters based on Carboxymethyl Chitosan derivative (CMC), to be used for the treatment of radiation dermatitis with Biologic Active Compounds (BACs) in a moist wound-healing environment. After performing the extraction and characterization of BACs from Cistus L., we optimized the BACs/CMC solution for subsequent plaster preparation. Then, plasters were prepared by dip-coating with a different number of layers, and we characterized them by Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy (ESEM), Contact Angle (CA) and release tests in water for 24 h. Taking into account the flexibility of the plasters and the amount of released BACs after 24 h, the sample obtained after two dip-coating steps (2La) appeared promising in regard to comfortable mechanical properties and active principles administration. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) test performed on keratinocytes cultured in standard medium shows that cells treated with released extract from 2La start to proliferate, extend cellular viability and form colonies typical for epidermal cells.