Design of Leather Footwear for Diabetics Containing Chlorhexidine Digluconate Microparticles

ChlorHexidine Digluconate [CHD] was encapsulated inside an ethylcellulose shell material [Aquacoat ECD], and then spray dried to produce mixed microparticles (MPs). The validity and functional quality of the resultant [CHD-MPs] were analyzed on vamp and lining leather which are used to manufacture shoes for diabetics. The morphology, efficiency of encapsulation and in vitro release characteristics of the [CHD-MPs] were optimized in order to impregnate [CHD-MPs] onto leather footwear for diabetics. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to characterize the [CHD-MPs] and the leathers treated with it. SEM images illustrated that the [CHD-MPs] were spherical, smooth in shape and adhered well to leather. In vitro CHD-release studies from its MPs, and for leather treated with it were performed in phosphate buffer saline at pH =7.2. There was an inherently controlled release behaviour of CHD for all the formulations on leather. Finally, microbiologic studies on leather treated with [CHD-MPs] were done. This study suggested that footwear containing [CHD-MPs] is/will improve the quality of daily life for diabetics.