Poly(vinyl alcohol)/chitosan hydrogels with electrochemically synthesized silver nanoparticles for wound dressing applications (original) (raw)

Chitosan-based hydrogel wound dressings with electrochemically incorporated silver nanoparticles – In vitro study

European Polymer Journal, 2019

In this work, we provide a facile path for the preparation of wound dressing materials with improved characteristics based on biocompatible chitosan and poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogels with embedded silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) as a potent antimicrobial agent. The hydrogels were prepared via freezing-thawing method, whereas AgNPs were synthesized via an in situ electrochemical route. The excellent physicochemical properties of the obtained nanocomposite hydrogels were validated using different spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. The formation of sub-10 nm AgNPs was confirmed by UV-visible spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. Swelling and silver release profiles were validated using several diffusion models. The hydrogels were proven to be non-cytotoxic using MTT test and possessed powerful antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, as determined by test in suspension, which affirmed their feasibility for wound dressing applications.

In Vivo Study of the Antibacterial Chitosan/Polyvinyl Alcohol Loaded with Silver Nanoparticle Hydrogel for Wound Healing Applications

Silver nanoparticles have attracted great interests widely in medicine due to its great characteristics of antibacterial activity. In this research, the antibacterial activity and biocompatibility of a topical gel synthesized from polyvinyl alcohol, chitosan, and silver nanoparticles were studied. Hydrogels with different concentrations of silver nanoparticles (15 ppm, 30 ppm, and 60 ppm) were evaluated to compare their antibacterial activity, nanoparticles' sizes, and in vivo behaviors. The resulted silver nanoparticles in the hydrogel were characterized by TEM showing the nanoparticles' sizes less than 22 nm. The in vitro results prove that the antibacterial effects of all of the samples are satisfied. However, the in vivo results demonstrate the significant difference among different hydrogels in wound healing, where hydrogel with 30 ppm shows the best healing rate.

The Design, Characterization and Antibacterial Activity of Heat and Silver Crosslinked Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) Hydrogel Forming Dressings Containing Silver Nanoparticles

Nanomaterials, 2021

The prompt treatment of burn wounds is essential but can be challenging in remote parts of Africa, where burns from open fires are a constant hazard for children and suitable medical care may be far away. Consequently, there is an unmet need for an economical burn wound dressing with a sustained antimicrobial activity that might be manufactured locally at low cost. This study describes and characterizes the novel preparation of a silver nitrate-loaded/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) film. Using controlled heating cycles, films may be crosslinked with in situ silver nanoparticle production using only a low heat oven and little technical expertise. Our research demonstrated that heat-curing of PVA/silver nitrate films converted the silver to nanoparticles. These films swelled in water to form a robust, wound-compatible hydrogel which exhibited controlled release of the antibacterial silver nanoparticles. An optimal formulation was obtained using 5% (w/w) silver nitrate in PVA membrane films...

Antimicrobial chitosan–PVA hydrogel as a nanoreactor and immobilizing matrix for silver nanoparticles

Applied Nanoscience, 2012

Hydrogels are water-insoluble crosslinked hydrophilic networks capable of retaining a large amount of water. The present work aimed to develop a novel chitosan-PVA-based hydrogel which could behave both as a nanoreactor and an immobilizing matrix for silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with promising antibacterial applications. The hydrogel containing AgNPs were prepared by repeated freeze-thaw treatment using varying amounts of the crosslinker, followed by in situ reduction with sodium borohydride as a reducing agent. Characterization studies established that the hydrogel provides a controlled and uniform distribution of nanoparticles within the polymeric network without addition of any further stabilizer. The average particle size was found to be 13 nm with size distribution from 8 to 21 nm as per HR-TEM studies.

Antimicrobial chitosan-PVA hydrogel as a nanoreactor and immobilization matrix for silver nanoparticles

2012

Hydrogels are water-insoluble crosslinked hydrophilic networks capable of retaining a large amount of water. The present work aimed to develop a novel chitosan-PVA-based hydrogel which could behave both as a nanoreactor and an immobilizing matrix for silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with promising antibacterial applications. The hydrogel containing AgNPs were prepared by repeated freeze-thaw treatment using varying amounts of the crosslinker, followed by in situ reduction with sodium borohydride as a reducing agent. Characterization studies established that the hydrogel provides a controlled and uniform distribution of nanoparticles within the polymeric network without addition of any further stabilizer. The average particle size was found to be 13 nm with size distribution from 8 to 21 nm as per HR-TEM studies.

Antibacterial Hydrogel Sheet Dressings Composed of Poly(vinyl alcohol) and Silver Nanoparticles by Electron Beam Irradiation

Gels

Advanced wound dressings that can deliver potent antibacterial action are still much in need, especially for treating wound infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria. In this research, we utilized electron beam (EB) irradiation to develop antibacterial hydrogel sheet dressings from poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in a two-step processing and evaluated their bactericidal efficacy, as well as the AgNP release. The effect of the irradiation dose on the swelling, gel fraction, network parameters, and mechanical properties of the hydrogels was first determined to establish the optimal doses for the two-step processing. The prototypic hydrogel sheets were then formed in the first EB irradiation and served as a matrix for the AgNP synthesis by the reduction of the silver nitrate precursors during the second EB irradiation. The diffusion assay showed that the minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) of the AgNP-load hydrogels was 0.25 and 0.5 mg/cm2 against Esche...

Silver-containing antimicrobial membrane based on chitosan-TPP hydrogel for the treatment of wounds

Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine, 2015

Treatment of non-healing wounds represents hitherto a severe dilemma because of their failure to heal caused by repeated tissue insults, bacteria contamination and altered physiological condition. This leads to face huge costs for the healthcare worldwide. To this end, the development of innovative biomaterials capable of preventing bacterial infection, of draining exudates and of favoring wound healing is very challenging. In this study, we exploit a novel technique based on the slow diffusion of tripolyphosphate for the preparation of macroscopic chitosan hydrogels to obtain soft pliable membranes which include antimicrobial silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) stabilized by a lactose-modified chitosan (Chitlac). UV-Vis and TEM analyses demonstrated the time stability and the uniform distribution of AgNPs in the gelling mixture, while swelling studies indicated the hydrophilic behavior of membrane. A thorough investigation on bactericidal properties of the material pointed out the synergistic activity of chitosan and AgNPs to reduce the growth of S. aureus, E. coli, S. epidermidis, P. aeruginosa strains and to break apart mature biofilms. Finally, biocompatibility assays on keratinocytes and fibroblasts did not prove any harmful effects on the viability of cells. This novel technique enables the production of bioactive membranes with great potential for the treatment of non-healing wounds.

Eco-Friendly Synthesized PVA/Chitosan/Oxalic Acid Nanocomposite Hydrogels Embedding Silver Nanoparticles as Antibacterial Materials

Gels

PVA/chitosan (PVA/CS) composite hydrogels incorporating silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were prepared by double-cross-linked procedures: freeze–thawing and electrostatic interactions. Oxalic acid (OA) was used both for solubilization and ionic cross-linking of CS. AgNPs covered by CS (CS-AgNPs) with an average diameter of 9 nm and 18% silver were obtained in the presence of CS, acting as reducing agent and particle stabilizer. The increase of the number of freeze–thaw cycles, as well as of the PVA:CS and OA:CS ratios, resulted in an increase of the gel fraction and elastic modulus. Practically, the elastic modulus of the hydrogels increased from 3.5 kPa in the absence of OA to 11.6 kPa at a 1:1 OA:CS weight ratio, proving that OA was involved in physical cross-linking. The physicochemical properties were not altered by the addition of CS-AgNPs in low concentration; however, concentrations higher than 3% resulted in low gel fraction and elastic modulus. The amount of silver released fro...

Fabrication and in vitro behavior of dual-function chitosan/silver nanocomposites for potential wound dressing applications

Materials Science and Engineering: C, 2019

We report the synthesis and in vitro evaluation of dual-function chitosan-silver nanoparticles (CTS-AgNPs) films with potential applications as wound dressings. We attempted to formulate nanocomposite films with appropriate AgNPs concentrations to simultaneously display antibacterial activity and suitability for cell culture. Nanocomposites were obtained by CTS-mediated in situ chemical reduction of AgNO 3. Circular-shape AgNPs (sizes ca. 7-50 nm) well distributed within the CTS matrices were obtained in concentrations from 0.018 to 0.573 wt.%. Efficacy (bacteriostatic and bactericidal properties) of CTS-AgNPs films to decrease planktonic and biofilm bacterial growth was AgNPs concentration-and bacteria strain-dependent. Films showed significant antibacterial activity against Gram-negative E. coli and P. aeruginosa and Gram-positive S. aureus. Antibacterial activity against S. epidermidis was moderated. Films suitability for cell culture was characterized using primary human fibroblasts (HF). HF displayed cell viability higher than 90% and the characteristic fusiform morphology of adhered fibroblast upon culture on films with AgNPs concentration  0.036 wt.%. HF cultured on these films also showed positive expression of tropoelastin, procollagen type I and Ki-67, characteristic proteins of extracellular matrix and proliferative cells, respectively. In vitro assays demonstrated that cytocompatibility/antibacterial properties decreased/increased as silver concentration increased, suggesting that CTS-AgNPS nanocomposite films with ≈ 0.04-0.20 wt.% might be considered as potential temporary dual-function wound dressings.