Zein is a biocompatible and biodegradable corn
protein with promising properties for biomedical applications. It is hydrophobic with the ability to self-assemble in an aqueous medium. It can also form a gel in hydroalcoholic
solvents at higher concentrations. Few studies have investigated the biomedical significance of
zein gels. Herein, we exploited the injectability and water-responsive increase in stiffness of
zein gel to achieve hemostasis by physical blockage of the
wound and clot formation. The release of components from the gel further aided blood clotting and gave a higher clot strength than a natural clot, which can prevent rebleeding. Rabbit aortic injury and swine femoral artery injury models were used to evaluate the
hemostatic efficacy of the
zein gel.
Zein gel was effective in both
hemostatic models without applying external compression due to an in situ increase in stiffness, while the control (Celox™ Gauze) required external compression at the
wound site. The
zein gel was easily removed after hemostasis due to hydrophobic self-assembly. Overall,
zein gel is proposed as an effective
hemostatic product for any
wound shape owing to its good shape adaptability and rapid in situ blood-responsive stiffness increase.