Development of polymer blends of latex-alginate and latex-collagen for tissue engineering application

Abstract

The natural rubber latex extracted from rubber tree Hevea brasiliensis have shown promising results in biomedical applications where membranes produced from this material have been used as medical prostheses and grafts due to their biocompatibility characteristics, bone growth and natural stimulation to angiogenesis. According to the literature, no in vivo work showed degradation of the latex during the experimental period. Thus, the objective of this work is the development and characterization of natural latex membranes functionalized with alginate / collagen for tissue engineering applications. In this way, it is expected to make possible the use of these new membranes based on natural latex also as prostheses, tissue grafts and systems of sustained release of bioactive compounds. For this purpose, physico-chemical and biological characterizations will be performed, which are commonly used in biomaterials and in dermal application.