On August 29, 2025, Kaczmarek et al. from the Łukasiewicz Research Network—Lodz Institute of Technology and the University of Lodz (Poland) published their latest research findings in Marine Drugs, titled "Haemostatic and Biocompatibility Evaluation of Alginate-Functionalized Polylactide Composite Containing Zinc Sulphide and Hardystonite". In the field of biomedical materials, the development of blood-contacting devices (e.g., wound dressings, surgical hemostatic patches) demands a delicate balance between hemostatic efficacy, biocompatibility, and tissue repair promotion. Traditional materials often fall short in addressing these needs simultaneously—either lacking bioactivity, exhibiting poor blood compatibility, or failing to regulate coagulation processes. To overcome these limitations, the research team developed a novel composite material, PLA-ALG-ZnS-HT, by functionalizing polylactide (PLA) with sodium alginate (ALG), zinc sulphide (ZnS), and hardystonite (HT). Their study systematically evaluated the material's physicochemical properties, haemostatic potential, and biocompatibility, providing valuable insights for its application in wound care and beyond.

Research Background

PLA is a well-known biodegradable polymer, but it often lacks the necessary bioactivity and cellular affinity for optimal tissue repair. Marine biopolymers, particularly the polysaccharides, offer a unique solution. Alginate, a highly studied marine glycan, is naturally biocompatible, highly absorbent, and possesses inherent haemostatic properties due to its poly-anionic structure, which promotes clotting. This paper successfully bridges the gap between synthetic PLA and natural, bioactive marine resources (Alginate) to develop a hybrid composite that capitalizes on the strengths of both, providing a highly tailored functional material for regenerative medicine.

Research Results

• Alginate Integration Enhances Material Architecture

The first critical step involved fabricating the core matrix—PLA nonwovens—and successfully functionalizing them with the marine polymer, alginate, alongside ZnS and HT particles. Alginate, a poly-anionic polysaccharide sourced from brown seaweed, is renowned for its excellent gelling and biocompatibility characteristics. The introduction of this glycan significantly altered the material's physical structure. Analyses of the final PLA-ALG-ZnS-HT composite showed a measurable increase in specific surface area and total pore volume compared to the unmodified PLA. These changes are highly beneficial, as increased porosity and surface area are desirable features for tissue engineering scaffolds, promoting cell adhesion, nutrient exchange, and the integration of the material with host tissues.

Fig.1 Optical microscopy images of unmodified and modified PLA nonwovens. (Kaczmarek, et al., 2025)

• Comprehensive Cell Viability and Cytotoxicity Assessment

A major objective of the study was to confirm the material's safety in a biological environment. The researchers conducted detailed cytotoxicity evaluations using post-incubation mixtures of the materials on two critical cell lines: peripheral blood mononuclear (PBM) cells and human foreskin fibroblast (Hs68) cells. PBM cells are primary immune cells, while Hs68 cells represent vital connective tissue cells. Utilizing the resazurin assay over 24 and 48 hours, the findings were overwhelmingly positive. Both unmodified PLA and the sophisticated PLA-ALG-ZnS-HT composite showed no significant adverse effects on cell viability across all tested concentrations and time points. These results strongly suggest that the incorporation of alginate and the inorganic components does not induce acute cytotoxicity, meeting a fundamental requirement for biomedical applications.

Fig.2 (A) PBM cells viability results; (B) Hs68 cells viability results. (Kaczmarek, et al., 2025)

• Genotoxicity Screening Confirms DNA Integrity

Moving beyond simple cytotoxicity, the team performed rigorous genotoxicity tests to ensure the materials do not damage cellular genetic material. They employed the alkaline Comet assay to detect DNA strand breaks and the plasmid relaxation assay to check for direct interaction with and cleavage of DNA.

The Comet assay results, performed on both PBM and Hs68 cells, demonstrated that the PLA-ALG-ZnS-HT composite caused minimal DNA damage, comparable to the negative control groups and significantly lower than the hydrogen peroxide positive control. Furthermore, the plasmid relaxation assay, using the pUC19 plasmid, confirmed that the composite materials did not induce cleavage of supercoiled DNA. This dual-level screening provides robust evidence that the final alginate-functionalized product is non-genotoxic, a paramount consideration for long-term implantation or contact applications.

Conclusion

The compelling evidence presented in this paper unequivocally validates the biological safety of the alginate-functionalized PLA composite. The combination of excellent cell viability, lack of acute cytotoxicity, and proven non-genotoxicity supports the material's designation as a highly promising candidate for clinical translation. The innovation lies not only in the synergistic blend of the Marine Glycan, alginate, with a synthetic polymer, but also in the meticulous demonstration of its safety profile across multiple biological endpoints. These findings clear the path for future in vivo studies, focusing particularly on the material's haemostatic performance and its application in advanced wound dressings or Tissue Scaffolds where the bioactive marine polysaccharide acts as a vital component for promoting healing and tissue integration. This research marks an exciting step forward in marine glycobiology's contribution to regenerative medicine.