Human neutrophil elastase inhibition with a novel cotton-alginate wound dressing formulation.

Occlusion and elasticity were combined in a novel cotton-based alginate dressing containing a nontoxic elastase inhibitor. Cotton gauzes were modified with a textile finishing process for incorporating alginate to yield a dressing material that retains elasticity while enhancing absorption. The algino-cellulose conjugates were formed through citric acid crosslinking of cellulose and alginate.