BIOCOMPATIBILITY EVALUATION OF XANTHAN/CHONDROITIN SULFATE HYDROGELS

The in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility of xanthan/chondroitin sulfate hydrogels (X/CS) in differentmixing ratios was investigated. The in vitro biocompatibility evaluation was performed by a chemiluminescent assayusing microorganisms such as Saccharomyces pombe. The cellular growth of S. pombe in presence of thexanthan/chondroitin sulfate hydrogels containing up to 20 % chondroitin sulfate was examinated comparatively withxanthan hydrogel.The in vivo evaluation was performed by toxicity test and subcutaneously implantation in rats. It has been establisheda lethal dose (LD50) bigger than 3200 mg/kg for all studied hydrogels, therefore they are nontoxic materials.The in vivo 30 days testing performed by subcutaneous implantation showed that the X/CS matrices were easilyabsorbed without side-effects, demonstrating their biocompatibility and effectiveness as potential drug delivery systems.