Submit Manuscript | http://medcraveonline.com Introduction The concern about wound care is ancient, which has driven the technological advance. In recent years, a number of topical wound care products have been found on the market, such as ointments, emulsions, gels, creams and solutions. Occlusive bandages are also available and are able to promote wound healing in a wet environment and keep the wound tissue hydrated. Nevertheless, they lack on drugs that can help in reducing pain as well as in the infammatory or healing processes. Film-forming materials represent a convenient alternative to conventional bandage systems and they have the advantage of making the treatment more comfortable and functional. In addition, the ability to controlled or prolonged release of the drug used in treatment decreases the number of times needed to change the curative, which decreases the dose administered and avoids pain and damage to the healing process during curative removal, providing increased patient compliance with treatment. 1 Several polymers have been studied for biomedical applications, such as controlled release systems. In matrix systems the drug may be homogeneously dispersed in the polymer matrix, adsorbed on its surface or within a reservoir. Drug release involves physical and chemical processes such as: penetration of water into the matrix, diffusion of the drug through the pores of the matrix, polymer degradation or a combination of the latter two mechanisms. 2 Chitosan, as it has unique properties, is recommended as a suitable functional material due to its excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, and low toxicity and adsorption properties. Interesting biological properties of chitosan also include bactericidal, hemostatic and antitumor activities, as well as promoting wound healing. 3 In addition, chitosan gradually de-polymerizes by releasing N-acetyl-BD glucosamine, which initiates fbroblast proliferation and also aids in collagen deposition and stimulates increased level of natural hyaluronic acid synthesis at second wound sites. 4 Due to its important characteristics, chitosan has been widely used in the preparation of cell growth supports and matrices for controlled drug release. In addition to conventional drugs, herbal medicines and extracts can also be immobilized and released gradually from these matrices, which are designed according to the release rate indicated for each type of drug/treatment. 5 In the middle of the last century, with the rise of a therapy centered on the use of synthetic drugs, the use of herbal medicines declined. However, in recent decades, the use of natural products has been reborn due to the bacterial resistance to traditional antibiotics and other side effects caused by synthetic drugs. The use of medicinal plants has been increased in both developed and in development countries. 6 For instance, in Brazil, a policy to encouraging the use of herbal medicine, among other therapies, was presented by the federal government. 7,8 This public policy aimed to ensure the safe and correct access of medicinal and phyto-therapeutic plants by the population, as well as to stimulate production of these products. 6 One of the medicinal species listed by the Brazilian Ministry of Health with great potential for use, is Passifora. Passifora spp leaves are used as anti-infammatory, have antimicrobial activity and are known for their action in cases of insomnia and irritability. These properties are attributed to the species Passifora incarnata L. and Passifora alata Adv Tissue Eng Regen Med Open Access. 2019;5(2):103‒108. 103 ©2019 Melo et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and build upon your work non-commercially. Chitosan membrane incorporated with Passifora edulis Sims extract for potential application as wound dressing Volume 5 Issue 2 - 2019 Maria do Socorro Fernandes Melo, Leiliane Aparecida de Almeida, Karine Cappuccio de Castro, Maria Gabriela Nogueira Campos Institute of Science and Technology, Federal University of Alfenas, Brazil Correspondence: Maria do Socorro Fernandes Melo, Institute of Science and Technology, Federal University of Alfenas, Poços de Caldas-MG, Brazil, Tel 55+35 988232390, Email Received: August 6, 2019 | Published: August 15, 2019 Abstract The aim of this work was to extract, characterize and incorporate the extract of Passifora edulis in to chitosan membranes for potential application as wound dressing. The extract was obtained from leaves using hydroalcoholic maceration. The extract (EPE) was analyzed by LC-Mass and Infrared Spectroscopy for identifcation of characteristic compounds, and further incorporated to chitosan membrane (QEPE). The membranes were obtained by solvent evaporation technique and characterized by morphology (SEM), swelling behavior, moisture content, water-solubility, water vapor permeability, and thermal stability. The interactions between chitosan and the extract were also analyzed by infrared spectroscopy. The presence of favonoids (hydrophilic compounds) in EPE affected the moisture content, water-solubility and water-vapor permeability of QEPE by increasing these properties in respect to the values found for the chitosan only membrane (QF). No signifcant difference was observed in the swelling ratio of both membranes. Moreover, a reduction in the enthalpy of fusion and hence in the degree of crystallinity was observed for QEPE, probably due to the presence of phenolic compounds in the extract that diffcult orientation and organization of the polymeric chains due to the steric effect. In conclusion, QEPE was fexible, transparent, and homogeneous; demonstrated fuid absorption capacity, water vapor permeability and thermal stability under physiological conditions. Therefore, it has great potential for application in the treatment of skin wounds. Keywords: Passifora edulis, chitosan, wound healing, membrane, biomedical applications Advances in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Research Article Open Access