Biodegradable microporous starch with assembled thrombin for rapid induction of hemostasis

Immediate hemorrhage control is pivotal for saving lives both in civilian life and in the military. In the present study, we developed a three-dimensional carrier based on the enzymolysis of corn starch loaded with thrombin, which efficiently controlled bleeding in a short time. The microporous starch (MS) with a large surface area was modified with sodium trimetaphosphate (STMP) to generate starch phosphate, which showed enhanced thrombin entrapment efficiency. The thrombin-assembled MS-STMP structure (MS-STMP-T) showed excellent hydrophilicity, rapid water absorption, high negative surface charge, and high hemostatic efficiency upon contact with blood in whole blood clotting tests, APTT and PT measurements, and animal injury models. Additionally, MS-STMP-T showed no cytotoxicity and was degraded within 14 days in a rabbit model. These results indicate that MS-STMP-T is a safe and effective agent for the control of bleeding.