Development of polymeric films with glyceric extract of Nasturtium officinale R. Br.: potential pharmaceutical application

Abstract

The skin protects the body against external aggression, but this function can be compromised by injuries, requiring the use of dressings to accelerate healing and prevent infections. Starch, an easy-to-obtain and low-cost polymer, is promising in biomedical research, being applied in films for tissue engineering and hemostasis. Furthermore, Nasturtium officinale (watercress) has pharmacological properties such as antioxidant, anticancer, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective. This study aimed to develop polymeric films to promote tissue repair and skin wound healing. Films based on potato and cassava starch were prepared, using glycerol and glycolic extract of Nasturtium officinale as plasticizers, using the casting method. The influence of pH and film thickness on their mechanical and barrier properties was investigated. Characterization of the films was carried out by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FEG) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Mechanical properties were determined through tensile tests. Films containing Nasturtium officinale glycolic extract as plasticizer showed higher tensile strength and elastic modulus.