Preparation of Chitosan-based Microspheres for Rapid Hemostasis

Rapid control of heavy hemorrhaging is critical to save the life of injured individuals. Herein, we developed a novel hemostat employing chitosan-based microspheres, which was prepared by sequential microemulsion of chitosan solution, sol-gel phase transition, and surface modification by 3, 4-dihydroxyhydrocinnamic acid(HCA). HCA-modified chitosan microspheres(CSMS-HCA) displayed a porous structure, with a high specific surface area(～211.3 m~2/g), accelerating their rapid absorption of blood and concentrating red cells and platelets. The CSMS-HCA exhibited much better in vitro and in vivo hemostatic efficacy than porous chitosan microspheres did. Such a rapid hemostat in the form of microspheres is highly effective in treating deep and irregular wounds, owing to easy accessibility to injured sites.