Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Hydrogels for Wound Healing: Synthesis and Characterization
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.66021/Keywords:
Antibacterial Hydrogel, Antibiofilm Activity, Wound Healing, Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs), Biofilm Inhibition, Biocompatible Polymers, Controlled Drug Release, Nanocomposite Hydrogel, Chitosan–Alginate Hydrogel, Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)Abstract
The bacterial colonization and subsequent formation of biofilms complicate chronic wounds and have a significant negative impact on the healing process and predispose the infection. The present paper describes the preparation and testing of wound dressings in the form of hydrogel that is designed to possess antibacterial and antibiofilm properties. The silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), nitric oxide (NO) donors and plant-derived bioactives were entrusted in hydrogels made of chitosan, alginate and polyethylene glycol (PEG) matrices, using green synthesis paths as well as cross-linking polymerization processes.
Physicochemical characterization showed swelling ratios between 240 and 410, and 25-35 degradation percentages after 7 days, which is a balance between the structural integrity and biofluid absorption. The uniform dispersion of active agents and a porous morphology with a pore size of 50 -200 um were confirmed by Fourier- transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The measurement of mechanical strength between 0.30 -1.20 Mpa was measured, making the material applicable on the skin.
Assays Disc.-diffusion revealed that it could be used on Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli with zones of inhibition of up to 22.61.3mm. The Hydrogels containing AgNPs had minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of as little as 4mg ml-1. Crystal violet stained antibiofilm activity and confocal laser scanning microscopy showed up to 85 in percent biomass reduction (p less than 0.01) and 70 in percent bacterial adherence at 24 hours.
The MTT assays demonstrated cytocompatibility with the human dermal fibroblast cultures with viabilities of more than 90. These results indicate that multifunctional hydrogels have been potential candidates of next-generation wound dressings that can address the needs of infection management and tissue regeneration.
