Prevention of abdominal adhesion by a polycaprolactone/phospholipid hybrid film containing quercetin and silver nanoparticles

Abstract

Aim: To develop quercetin-loaded poly(caprolactone) (PCL)/soybean phosphatidylcholine (PC) films coated with silver (Ag) to prevent the formation of postoperative adhesions (POA). Materials & methods: Films were prepared using the solvent casting method, coated with Ag, and underwent in vitro tests. In vivo studies were conducted employing an animal model of sidewall defect and cecum abrasion. Results: Films showed sustained release behavior of quercetin and Ag. Coating films with Ag improved their antimicrobial activity. In vivo studies confirmed superior antiadhesion properties of films compared with the control groups evaluated by gross observation, histochemical staining and immunohistochemistry analyses. Conclusion: Ag-Q-PCL-PC films are a potential candidate to prevent POA by acting as a sustained release delivery system and physical barrier.

Keywords: adhesion; film; phospholipid; polycaprolactone; postoperative; quercetin; silver.