Silver nanoparticle/chitosan oligosaccharide/poly(vinyl alcohol) nanofibers as wound dressings: a preclinical study

Int J Nanomedicine. 2013:8:4131-45. doi: 10.2147/IJN.S51679. Epub 2013 Nov 1.

Abstract

In this study, a mixture of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and chitosan oligosaccharides (COS) was electrospun with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) to produce fibrous mats for use in wound healing. The AgNPs were reduced by COS prior to electrospinning or Ag(+) was reduced via ultraviolet irradiation in nanofibers. The morphologies of the PVA/COS/AgNO3 and PVA/COS-AgNP nanofibers were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. Formation of the AgNPs was investigated by field emission transmission electron microscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. We also evaluated the biocompatibility of the nanofibers, particularly their cytotoxicity to human skin fibroblasts and potential to cause primary skin irritation. The in vitro antibacterial activity and in vivo wound healing capacity of the nanofibers were also investigated. The nanofibers had a smooth surface with an average diameter of 130-192 nm. The diameters of the AgNPs were in the range of 15-22 nm. The nanofibers significantly inhibited growth of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. PVA/COS-AgNP nanofibers accelerated the rate of wound healing over that of the control (gauze). The results of our in vitro and in vivo animal experiments suggest that PVA/COS-AgNP nanofibers should be of greater interest than PVA/COS/AgNO3 nanofibers for clinical use as a bioactive wound dressing.

Keywords: chitosan oligosaccharides; electrospinning; poly(vinyl alcohol); preclinical study; silver nanoparticles; wound dressing.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Bandages*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chitosan / chemistry
  • Chitosan / pharmacology*
  • Electrochemical Techniques
  • Escherichia coli / drug effects
  • Fibroblasts
  • Humans
  • Materials Testing
  • Metal Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Particle Size
  • Polyvinyl Alcohol / chemistry
  • Polyvinyl Alcohol / pharmacology*
  • Rabbits
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Silver / chemistry
  • Silver / pharmacology*
  • Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects
  • Wound Healing / drug effects*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Silver
  • Polyvinyl Alcohol
  • Chitosan