ARI Pune develops high-porosity Xerogel Dressing for rapid blood clotting

New Delhi, Aug12: Agharkar Research Institute (ARI) Pune, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), has developed an innovative spongy xerogel hemostatic dressing that could significantly enhance the body’s ability to control severe bleeding, according to a press release from the Ministry of Science and Technology.

This advanced dressing incorporates silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) and calcium, which are known to interact with cellular receptors (agonists), boosting the dressing’s ability to promote blood clotting.

Researchers at ARI discovered that this composite material dramatically increased the blood clotting index by 13 times compared to conventional dressings. The porous structure of the xerogel, which features multiple pores around 30 micrometres in size, contributes to its high absorbance capacity, making it an effective solution for uncontrolled haemorrhage—a leading cause of traumatic death in accidents, injuries, and during military or surgical operations.

Uncontrolled haemorrhage accounts for over 40% of trauma-related deaths, where traditional methods such as gauze and the body’s natural defences often fall short. The newly developed xerogel dressing not only rapidly absorbs blood but also significantly enhances the body’s clotting mechanisms. It promotes platelet aggregation by inducing the formation of pseudopodia—extensions from the activated platelets that are crucial for clot formation.

Moreover, the composite dressing stimulates the release of calcium from platelets and upregulates the protease-activated receptor gene (PAR1) on platelet surfaces. This gene, which plays a key role in thrombin signaling, is vital for platelet shape change and aggregation, both of which are essential steps in the blood clotting process.

The findings, published in the Journal of Applied Polymer Science, highlight the potential of this xerogel dressing to serve as an effective tool in reducing blood loss, disability, and mortality during surgical procedures and emergency trauma care.

The study’s results underscore the importance of understanding intracellular molecular mechanisms, such as PAR1 gene activation and calcium store release, which are integral to the efficacy of this hemostatic dressing. Such advancements could revolutionize trauma care and surgery by providing a more effective means to control bleeding.