Investigation of neem-oil-loaded PVA/chitosan biocomposite film for hydrophobic dressing, rapid hemostasis and wound healing applications.

The present work aims to develop a hydrophobic dressing with a blood-repellent surface that achieves fast clotting without blood loss, having antibacterial properties, clot self-detachment, and superior wound healing activity. For these reasons, a novel approach was applied by producing a hydrophobic film made of PVA, chitosan, and neem seed oil (NSO). The film had the necessary hydrophobicity, mechanical strength, stability and was able to transmit water vapor to be suitable for the wound skin surface and demonstrated faster blood clotting (BCI = 91.44 % in 5 min and 85.22 % in 10 min). The proportion of red blood cells (2.78 %) and platelets (17.33 %) attached to the film proved its excellent hemostatic activity. It was anti-adhesive, created spontaneous clot detachment, and exhibited antibacterial properties at the wound site, as evidenced by in vivo testing. Moreover, in vivo testing and histopathological findings showed enhanced wound healing activity, greater re-epithelialization, and decreased granulation tissue. Additionally, the film's eco-friendliness was evaluated using a soil burial degradation test, and the results show that it deteriorated into the soil but did so slowly because of its hydrophobic property. Thus, PVA/CS/NSO composite film may be a green biomedical material for hemostasis and wound healing.