Carbohydrate polymer-based silver nanocomposites: Recent progress in the antimicrobial wound dressings.

Wound healing is a dynamic and complex process which affects the quality of life in patients and annually causes high costs for the health system, worldwide. Polymers from natural origins such as polysaccharides have gained particular interest between researchers for wound dressing applications due to their abundance in nature, biocompatibility with human tissues, and ideal physicochemical properties. Aside from their supportive effect in wound care, polysaccharides and their derivatives can actively contribute to the healing process. Silver nanoparticles are widely used noble metal nanoparticles incorporated in wound dressings due to their low toxicity for human cells, naturally availability, and strong antimicrobial effects. In the present study, we will review the most frequently used polysaccharides in wound dressing procedure with silver or silver nanoparticles accommodated. The methods of synthesis, physicochemical properties, healing efficiencies, toxicity against human tissues, antibacterial and antifungal effects of each material will also be discussed.

Chitin/silk fibroin/TiO2 bio-nanocomposite as a biocompatible wound dressing bandage with strong antimicrobial activity.

Interconnected microporous biodegradable and biocompatible chitin/silk fibroin/TiO2 nanocomposite wound dressing with high antibacterial, blood clotting and mechanical strength properties were synthesized using freeze-drying method. The prepared nanocomposite dressings were characterized using SEM, FTIR, and XRD analysis. The prepared nanocomposite dressings showed high porosity above 90% with well-defined interconnected porous construction. Swelling and water uptake of the dressing were 93%, which is great for wound dressing applications. Haemostatic potential of the prepared dressings was studied and the results proved the higher blood clotting ability of the nanocomposites compared to pure components and commercially available products. Besides, cell viability, attachment and proliferation by MTT assay and DAPI staining on HFFF2 cell as a Human Caucasian Foetal Foreskin Fibroblast proved the cytocompatibility nature of the nanocomposite scaffolds with well improved proliferation and cell attachment. To determine the antimicrobial efficiencies, both disc diffusion method and colony counts were performed and results imply that nanocomposite scaffolds have high antimicrobial activity and could successfully inhibit the growth of E. coli, S. aureus, and C. albicans. Moreover, based on these results, the prepared chitin/silk fibroin/TiO2 nanocomposite dressing could serve as a kind of promising wound dressing with great antibacterial and antifungal properties.

Preparation of biocompatible and biodegradable silk fibroin/chitin/silver nanoparticles 3D scaffolds as a bandage for antimicrobial wound dressing.

One of the most serious challenge in wound care is difficulty of the infection control in wound healing process. Wound dressings with antimicrobial effects are useful to minimize the bacterial infections of wounds. In this study a biocompatible and biodegradable silk fibroin/chitin nanocomposite scaffolds with various content of silver nanoparticles (0.001, 0.01, and 0.1%) were fabricated via freeze-drying method for successful wound dressing application. The nanocomposite scaffolds have biocompatibility with high antimicrobial effects, good mechanical properties, and high porosity. Furthermore, swelling and water uptake, blood clotting, and biodegradability were also investigated. The antimicrobial evaluation with both disc diffusion method and colony counts imply that nanocomposite scaffolds have high antimicrobial activity and could successfully inhibit the growth of E. coli, S. aureus, and C. albicans. Also proliferation, cell viability, and cell attachment with MTT assay and DAPI staining on nHFFF2 cell, have proved the cytocompatibility nature of the nanocomposite scaffolds. All results revealed that prepared nanocomposite scaffolds are good candidate for wound dressing and could be use in further in-vivo uses.