Ulvan/Silver nanoparticle hydrogel films for burn wound dressing

Abstract

Ulvan is a polysaccharide from green algae that shows good hydrogel film dressing characteristics. Silver nanoparticles (AgNP) can be incorporated into the hydrogel film to improve antibacterial properties and provide a potential burn treatment. In this study, we developed a novel hydrogel film wound dressing composed of ulvan and silver nanoparticles. Two concentrations (0.5 mM and 1 mM) of silver nitrate were used to produce ulvan-silver nanoparticles hydrogel film (UHF-AgNP0.5 and UHF-AgNP1), respectively. The physicochemical characteristics of the hydrogel films were evaluated, including particle size, zeta potential, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscope and energy-dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX). Furthermore, the in vitro antimicrobial activity, and second-degree burn wound healing test were evaluated. The UHF-AgNP0.5 showed the highest antimicrobial activity compared to UHF-AgNP1 and UHF film. Meanwhile, an in vivo study using Wistar rats induced second-degree burns showed that UHF-AgNP0.5 significantly accelerated the healing process by regulating the inflammatory process, increasing re-epithelialization, and improving the vascularization process. Ulvan-silver nanoparticle hydrogel films have the ability to accelerate the healing of second-degree burns and are potential candidates for wound dressings.

Keywords: Antimicrobial; Burn healing; Hydrogel film; Silver nanoparticles; Ulvan.

Fig. 1

UV–Vis absorption spectra of UHF, UHF–AgNP0.5, and UHF–AgNP1.

Fig. 2

TEM image of (a) UHF–AgNP0.5, and (b) UHF–AgNP1.

Fig. 3

(a) FTIR Spectra, and (b) XRD pattern of UHF–AgNP0.5, and UHF–AgNP1.

Fig. 4

Electron microscopy analysis of UHF–AgNP. (a) SEM images of UHF–AgNP0.5 at 500× magnification. (b) SEM images of UHF–AgNP1 at 500× magnification. (c) EDX of UHF–AgNP0.5 and (d) EDX of UHF–AgNP1.

Fig. 5

A. (a). Antibacterial activities of a. UHF–AgNP0.5, (b). UHF–AgNP1, and (c). UHF against S. epidermidis, E. coli, S. aureus, and P. aeruginosa. B. The bar diagram represents the antibacterial studies of UHF–AgNP0.5, UHF–AgNP1, and UHF. Each value represents the mean ± SD of three experiments. *p < 0.05. UHF–AgNP0.5 compared to UHF–AgNP1. #p < 0.05, UHF–AgNP0.5 compared to the UHF.

Fig. 6

A. Photomicrographs of second-degree wound assay on Wistar rats to evaluate the wound healing efficiency of UHF–AgNP. B. The bar diagram represents the wound reduction rate of UHF, UHF–AgNP, negative control NC, and PC. Each value represents the mean ± SD of three experiments. *p < 0.05. C. Micrographs image (Photograph with Olympus CX 33 photomicroscope 100× magnification) of H&E-stained tissue from burn wounds of UHF, UHF–AgNP, NC, and PC. The tissue between the black triangles is the epidermis, while the arrowhead is an un-epithelialized area, and the arrows are blood vessels that showed the presence of new vascular tissue in the newly regenerated dermis. Scale bar 100 μm.