Bioactive electrospun silver nanoparticles-containing polyurethane nanofibers as wound dressings

Nanofibrous membrane (NFM) intended as wound dressing was prepared by electrospinning polyurethane (PU) solution containing silver ion, followed by reduction of silver ion to silver nanoparticles. The electrospun PU membrane has high surface area-to-volume ratio, controlled evaporative water transmission rate, good fluid drainage ability, and excellent antimicrobial activity. With an aim to promote wound healing, collagen was grafted to fiber surface by low temperature oxygen plasma treatment, which could improve surface hydrophilicity and facilitate covalent binding of collagen molecules to the plasma-treated PU surface. A NFM with no bead formation was obtained with fiber diameters around 159 nm. The presence of embedded silver nanoparticles and surface-grafted collagen was confirmed qualitatively and quantitatively. After modification, the NFM's antimicrobial activity improved to approximately 100% inhibition of bacterial growth with concomitant increase of membrane water absorption ability, which facilitates its use as a functional wound dressing. From animal studies, the NFM was better than gauze and commercial collagen sponge wound dressing in wound healing rate.     

An enhancement on healing effect of wound dressing: Acrylic acid grafted and gamma-polyglutamic acid/chitosan immobilized polypropylene non-woven

The wound dressing of acrylic acid-grafted and gamma-polyglutamic acid/chitosan-immobilized polypropylene non-woven fabric (PP-AAg-PGCi) was produced in this study. Gamma-polyglutamic acid (gamma-PGA) was first applied in this field to composed with chitosan. The PP-AAg-PGCi wound dressings were expected to enhance the water absorbing, water permeating and wound healing properties. The results showed that the immobilizing percentage, water absorbing value and water diffusion coefficient for PP-AAg-PGCi samples increased with the increase of the gamma-PGA in the immobilizing bath; whereas, decreased with the increase of the chitosan in the immobilizing bath. The immobilized chitosan was aggregating with the state of discontinuous and uneven mass materials on the surface of the immobilized gamma-PGA. The water absorbing, water permeating, and anti-bacterial properties of the PP-AAg-PGCi samples were much better than that of AA grafted and collagen/chitosan immobilized PP non-woven sample (PP-AAg-CCi) in our previous study. Anti-bacterial property for PP-AAg-PGCi samples was excellent. The effect on accelerating wound healing for PP-AAg-PGCi samples was strong. The product of the multi-layer material of PP-AAg-PGCi was expected to bestow better services for wound dressing.     

负载纳米银/石墨烯复合物的海藻酸钠水凝胶薄膜的制备及应用

海藻酸钠(SA)是一种天然高分子聚合物,而纳米银(Ag)具有良好的抗菌性,因此利用二者制备的水凝胶敷料在生物医学领域具有广阔的应用前景。本文首先将Ag纳米颗粒负载于氧化石墨烯(GO)片表面得到Ag/石墨烯复合物(Ag-GO),然后再将其添加到SA中,通过溶胶-凝胶法获得负载Ag-GO的双层海藻酸钠水凝胶薄膜(Ag-GO/SA)。利用FTIR、XRD和SEM等技术对Ag-GO/SA的组成结构和微观形貌进行了表征,并评价了其溶胀性、抗菌性、力学、体外细胞毒性和体内伤口愈合能力等性能。结果表明Ag-GO/SA具有良好的溶胀性、力学强度和抗菌性等性能,与医用纱布相比,Ag-GO/SA可促进SD大鼠的伤口愈合,伤口愈合率高达98%,作为新型伤口敷料具有很大的应用潜力。      

An enhancement on water absorbing and permeating abilities of acrylic acid grafted and chitosan/collagen immobilized polypropylene non-woven fabric: Chitosan obtained from Mucor

The wound dressing of acrylic acid-grafted and chitosan/collagen-immobilized polypropylene non-woven fabric (PP–AAg–CCi) were produced. In this study, two kinds of chitosan obtained from the nourishment of Mucor (m-chitosan) and from commerce (c-chitosan) were used for comparison. It was found that the values of water absorbing and water diffusion coefficient for m-chitosan sample (PP–AAg–CmCi) were significantly higher than that for c-chitosan sample (PP–AAg–CcCi). The enhanced percentage on water absorbing value and water diffusion coefficient for PP–AAg–CmCi sample increased with the increasing of chitosan contained in the mixture of chitosan/collagen. The surface of the PP–AAg–CcCi sample was smooth; however, the surface of the PP–AAg–CmCi sample was rough and cracky/loose. The higher water adsorption and water diffusion properties were caused by the nature of agent for the PP–AAg–CmCi sample. The hydroxyl group contained on m-chitosan, which was prepared in this study, was higher than that contained on c-chitosan. The anti-bacterial properties of the PP–AAg–CmCi and PP–AAg–CcCi samples were all excellent. The products of the multi-layer material of PP–AAg–CmCi were expected to provide better services for wound dressing.     

Experimental wound dressings of degradable PHA for skin defect repair

The present study reports construction of wound dressing materials from degradable natural polymers such as hydroxy derivatives of carboxylic acids (PHAs) and 3-hydroxybutyrate/4-hydroxybutyrate [P(3HB/4HB)] as copolymer. The developed polymer films and electrospun membranes were evaluated for its wound healing properties with Grafts—elastic nonwoven membranes carrying fibroblast cells derived from adipose tissue multipotent mesenchymal stem cells. The efficacy of nonwoven membranes of P(3HB/4HB) carrying the culture of allogenic fibroblasts was assessed against model skin defects in Wistar rats. The morphological, histological and molecular studies revealed the presence of fibroblasts on dressing materials which facilitated wound healing, vascularization and regeneration. Further it was also observed that cells secreted extracellular matrix proteins which formed a layer on the surface of membranes and promoted the migration of epidermal cells from the neighboring tissues surrounding the wound. The wounds under the P(3HB/4HB) membrane carrying cells healed 1.4 times faster than the wounds under the cell-free membrane and 3.5 times faster than the wounds healing under the eschar (control).The complete wound healing process was achieved at Day 14. Thus the study highlights the importance of nonwoven membranes developed from degradable P(3HB/4HB) polymers in reducing inflammation, enhancing angiogenic properties of skin and facilitating better wound healing process.     

Silver nanoparticles-doped collagen–alginate antimicrobial biocomposite as potential wound dressing

Development of novel wound dressing with potent antibacterial activity is crucial for wound healing and tissue regeneration. In this work, we aim to prepare silver nanoparticles (AgNPs)-doped collagen–alginate (CA–AgNPs) biocomposite, which may possess antibacterial activity and be used as wound dressing. AgNPs were synthesized using NaBH₄ as reducing agent and polyvinyl pyrrolidone as stabilizing agent. The formation of the AgNPs was confirmed by ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometer and transmission electron microscopy. Then, the as-prepared AgNPs were mixed with sodium alginate and collagen to obtain CA–AgNPs biocomposite. The CA–AgNPs biocomposite was fully characterized to verify the presence of AgNPs in the biocomposite. In vitro cytotoxicity assay illustrated that the CA–AgNPs biocomposite possessed negligible cytotoxicity at low AgNPs concentration. Furthermore, the antibacterial activity of the CA–AgNPs biocomposite was assessed against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli through agar diffusion method. Inhibition zone indicated that CA–AgNPs biocomposite possessed much higher antimicrobial activity than that of CA biocomposite, which strengthened with the increase in the AgNPs contents. Taken together, our finding suggested that the CA–AgNPs biocomposite showed strong potential as wound dressing.     

Adhesive Hemostatic Conducting Injectable Composite Hydrogels with Sustained Drug Release and Photothermal Antibacterial Activity to Promote Full‐Thickness Skin Regeneration During Wound Healing

Developing injectable nanocomposite conductive hydrogel dressings with multifunctions including adhesiveness, antibacterial, and radical scavenging ability and good mechanical property to enhance full‐thickness skin wound regeneration is highly desirable in clinical application. Herein, a series of adhesive hemostatic antioxidant conductive photothermal antibacterial hydrogels based on hyaluronic acid‐graft‐dopamine and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) using a H₂O₂/HPR (horseradish peroxidase) system are prepared for wound dressing. These hydrogels exhibit high swelling, degradability, tunable rheological property, and similar or superior mechanical properties to human skin. The polydopamine endowed antioxidant activity, tissue adhesiveness and hemostatic ability, self‐healing ability, conductivity, and NIR irradiation enhanced in vivo antibacterial behavior of the hydrogels are investigated. Moreover, drug release and zone of inhibition tests confirm sustained drug release capacity of the hydrogels. Furthermore, the hydrogel dressings significantly enhance vascularization by upregulating growth factor expression of CD31 and improve the granulation tissue thickness and collagen deposition, all of which promote wound closure and contribute to a better therapeutic effect than the commercial Tegaderm films group in a mouse full‐thickness wounds model. In summary, these adhesive hemostatic antioxidative conductive hydrogels with sustained drug release property to promote complete skin regeneration are an excellent wound dressing for full‐thickness skin repair.     

Preparation of green cellulose diacetate-based antibacterial wound dressings for wound healing

Managing wounds is a growing universal problem and developing effective wound dressings to staunch bleeding and protect wounds from bacterial infections is an increasingly serious challenge. In this work, a remolding electrospinning nanofiber three-dimensional structure wound dressing (CCP) was prepared with superhydrophilicity, high water absorption and absorbing capacity, excellent hemostatic capacity and antibacterial ability, and biocompatibility to promote wound healing. Polyhexamethylene guanidine hydrochloride (PHMG) was grafted to cellulose diacetate (CDA) wound dressing surface through an amide reaction. A water contact angle analysis demonstrated that CCP wound dressing could be beneficial to promote wound exudate management effectively with rapid absorption of water within 0.2 s. In vitro hemo- and cytocompatibility assay showed that a CCP wound dressing had no significant hemotoxicity or cytoxicity. Specifically, CCP wound dressings could be beneficial to accelerate wound hemostasis and further reduce mortality caused by uncontrolled bleeding. Furthermore, CCP wound dressings have an excellent antibacterial ability, which could be beneficial to inhibit wound inflammatory over-reaction and promote normal wound healing. Combined together, the prepared wound dressing in this research effort is expected to have high-potential in clinical applications.     

Structural transition of ZnO thin films produced by RF magnetron sputtering at low temperatures

Zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films were prepared using reactive radio-frequency magnetron sputtering of a pure metallic zinc target onto glass substrates. The evolution of the surface morphology and the optical properties of the films were studied as a function of the substrate temperature, which was varied from 50 to 250 °C. The surface topography of the samples was examined using atomic force microscopy (AFM), and their optical properties were studied via transmittance measurements in the UV–Vis–NIR region. DRX and AFM analyses showed that the surface morphology undergoes a structural transition at substrate temperatures of around 150 °C. Actually, at 50 °C the formation of small grains was observed while at 250 °C the grains observed were larger and had more irregular shapes. The optical gap remained constant at ~3.3 eV for all films. In the visible region, the average optical transmittance was 80 %. From these results, one can conclude that the morphological properties of the ZnO thin films were more greatly affected by the substrate temperature, due to mis-orientation of polycrystalline grains, than were the optical properties.     

Hydrogel-elastomer composite biomaterials: 3. Effects of gelatin molecular weight and type on the preparation and physical properties of interpenetrating polymer networks

To optimize the preparation of a gelatin-HydroThane^TM Interpenetrating Polymer Network (IPN) and obtain optimum physical properties for its use as a wound dressing, we studied IPN films prepared with two types of gelatin having different molecular weights. The effects of the gelatin molecular weight and type on the IPN film’s structure, morphology, swelling and mechanical properties were determined. While FTIR did not reveal any noticeable differences between the IPNs prepared using different gelatin, light microscopy showed a lesser phase separation of the film prepared with a high-molecular-weight type A gelatin. Furthermore, these films displayed slightly less swelling, higher strength and lower strain, compared to the IPNs prepared with either low-molecular-weight type A or type B gelatin. The IPN prepared with type B gelatin showed higher swelling in serum-containing medium than those prepared with type A gelatin, because of its ionic charges under the condition. Increases in viscosity were observed with increasing molecular weight, type A being more viscous than type B gelatin despite having a lower bloom number. The viscosity of the high-molecular-weight gelatin was in the same magnitude as that of HydroThane^TM, which might lead to less phase separation. A better understanding of the effects of alterations in the gelatin molecular weight and type on the formation and properties of the gelatin-HydroThane^TM IPN should facilitate the development of promising composite biomaterials for wound dressing applications.     

Polycaprolactone/gelatin electrospun nanofibres containing biologically produced tellurium nanoparticles as a potential wound dressing scaffold: Physicochemical,mechanical, and biological characterisation

The biologically synthesised tellurium nanoparticles (Te NPs) were applied in the fabrication of Te NP‐embedded polycaprolactone/gelatin (PCL/GEL) electrospun nanofibres and their antioxidant and in vivo wound healing properties were determined. The as‐synthesised nanofibres were characterised using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy‐dispersive X‐ray (EDX) spectroscopy and elemental mapping, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The mechanical properties and surface hydrophobicity of scaffolds were investigated using tensile analysis and contact angle tests, respectively. The biocompatibility of the produced scaffolds on mouse embryonic fibroblast cells (3T3) was evaluated using MTT assay. The highest wound healing activity (score 15/19) was achieved for scaffolds containing Te NPs. The wounds treated with PCL/GEL/Te NPs had inflammation state equal to the positive control. Also, the mentioned scaffold represented positive effects on collagen formation and collagen fibre''s horizontalisation in a dose‐dependent manner. The antioxidative potency of Te NP‐containing scaffolds was demonstrated with lower levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and catalase (∼3 times) and a higher level of glutathione (GSH) (∼2 times) in PCL/GEL/Te NP‐treated samples than the negative control. The obtained results strongly demonstrated the healing activity of the produced nanofibres, and it can be inferred that scaffolds containing Te NPs are suitable for wound dressing.     

The multifunctional wound dressing with core–shell structured fibers prepared by coaxial electrospinning

The non-woven wound dressing with core–shell structured fibers was prepared by coaxial electrospinning. The polycaprolactone (PCL) was electrospun as the fiber’s core to provide mechanical strength whereas collagen was fabricated into the shell in order to utilize its good biocompatibility. Simultaneously, the silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) as anti-bacterial agent were loaded in the shell whereas the vitamin A palmitate (VA) as healing-promoting drug was encapsulated in the core. Resulting from the fiber’s core–shell structure, the VA released from the core and Ag-NPs present in the shell can endow the dressing both heal-promoting and anti-bacteria ability simultaneously, which can greatly enhance the dressing’s clinical therapeutic effect. The dressing can maintain high swelling ratio of 190% for 3 d indicating its potential application as wet dressing. Furthermore, the dressing’s anti-bacteria ability against Staphylococcus aureus was proved by in vitro anti-bacteria test. The in vitro drug release test showed the sustainable release of VA within 72 h, while the cell attachment showed L929 cells can well attach on the dressing indicating its good biocompatibility. In conclusion, the fabricated nanofibrous dressing possesses multiple functions to benefit wound healing and shows promising potential for clinical application.     

A novel wound dressing material — fibrin–chitosan–sodium alginate composite sheet

The present study describes preparation and characterization of fibrin–chitosan–sodium alginate composite (F–C–SA) in sheet form. F–C–SA composite was prepared and characterized for its physicochemical properties like water absorption capacity, surface morphology, FTIR spectra and mechanical properties. The optimum quantities of fibrin, chitosan and sodium alginate to get better mechanical properties to composite were determined. FTIR spectrum confirmed the interaction between amino groups of chitosan, fibrin and sodium alginate and SEM studies revealed composite nature of the material.     

Amniotic membrane extract-loaded double-layered wound dressing: evaluation of gel properties and wound healing

The conservative single-layered wound dressing system is decomposed when mixed in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) solution, which means it cannot be used with a temperature-sensitive drug. The goal of this investigation was to make an amniotic membrane extract (AME)-loaded double-layered wound dressing with an improved healing result compared to the conservative single-layered wound dressing systems. The double-layered wound dressing was developed with PVA/sodium alginate using a freeze–melting technique; one layer was PVA layer and the other was the drug-loaded sodium alginate layer. Its gel properties were assessed compared to single-layered wound dressings. Moreover, in vivo wound-healing effects and histopathology were calculated compared to commercial products. The double-layered wound dressing gave a similar gel fraction and Young’s module as single-layered wound bandages developed with only PVA, and a similar inflammation ability and WVTR as single-layered wound dressings developed with PVA and sodium alginate. Our data indicate that these double-layered wound bandages were just as swellable, but more elastic and stronger than single-layered wound dressings comprised of the same polymers and quantities, possibly giving an acceptable level of moisture and accumulation of exudates in the wound zone. Compared to the commercial product, the double-layered wound dressing comprising 6.7% PVA, 0.5% sodium alginate and 0.01% AME significantly enhanced the wound-healing effect in the wound-healing test. Histological investigations showed that superior full-thickness wound-healing effects compared to the commercial product. Therefore, the double-layered wound dressing would be an outstanding wound-dressing system with improved wound healing and good gel property.     

β-Chitin-based wound dressing containing silver sulfurdiazine

Physical and biological properties of some wound dressing materials based on -chitin were studied. Water vapor transmission rates (WVTR), oxygen permeabilities and biodegradation kinetics were examined for film-type samples. WVTR of samples was in the range 2400–2800 g/m²/day. However, oxygen permeabilities of the samples were relatively low. To improve oxygen permeabilities, porous sponge-type wound dressing materials were prepared. In addition, these sponge-type samples contained antimicrobial agents, silver sulfadiazine (AgSD), in order to prevent bacteria infection on a wound surface. Anti-microbacterial tests on agar plate were carried out to confirm the bactericidal capacity of present materials. These materials impregnating AgSD had the complete bactericidal capacity against pseudomonas aeruginosa up to 7 days. Finally, a wound healing effect of –chitin-based semi-interpenetrating polymer networks was evaluated from the animal test using the wistar rat in vivo. Histological studies confirm the proliferation of fibroblasts in the wound bed and a distinct reduction in infectious cells.     

壳聚糖接枝物与琼脂复合膜的制备及性能研究

目的 以琼脂(Agar)和壳聚糖-氧化微晶纤维素接枝物(CS-g-MCC(O))为原料制备海绵状薄膜,探究薄膜在医用敷料领域的应用.方法 采用共混法将琼脂和壳聚糖-氧化微晶纤维素接枝物按不同体积比混合,然后使用冷冻干燥法制得薄膜,利用扫描电子显微镜对其多孔结构进行表征;对薄膜的溶胀率、溶失率、水蒸气透过率以及力学性能进行检测.结果 制备出的海绵敷料形貌结构规整,有明显的孔洞,利于伤口排出代谢产物;随着琼脂含量的增加,海绵敷料的溶失率先减小后增加,溶胀率、孔隙率、透湿量、拉伸强度和断裂伸长率先增加后减小.结论 海绵敷料各项性能都较为优异,有利于伤口渗出液的吸收和细胞生长,对伤口的愈合起到了重要作用,促进了其在医用敷料领域的应用.     

Development of salmon milt DNA/salmon collagen composite for wound dressing

This study aims to develop a novel wound dressing comprising salmon milt DNA (sDNA) and salmon collagen (SC). The sDNA/SC composites were prepared by incubating a mixture of an acidic SC solution, an sDNA solution, and a collagen fibrillogenesis inducing buffer (pH 6.8) containing a crosslinking agent (water-soluble carbodiimide) for gelation, and a subsequent ventilation-drying process to give sDNA/SC films. The conjugation between sDNA and SC were confirmed by sDNA-elution assay and fluorescence microscopy. The sDNA/SC films with various doses of sDNA (sDNA/SC weight ratios of 1:5, 1:10, and 1:20) were used for in vitro cell cultures to evaluate their growth potentials of normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDF) and normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK). It was found that NHDF proliferation was increased by sDNA conjugation, whereas NHEK proliferation was dose-dependently inhibited. In light of the in vitro results, the appropriate dose of sDNA for in vivo study was determined to be the ratio of 1:10. For the implantation in full-thickness skin defects in rat dorsal region, the sDNA/SC films were reinforced by incorporating them on a porous SC sponge, because the sDNA/SC films exhibited early contraction and inadequate morphologic stability when implanted in vivo. The regenerated tissue in the sDNA/SC sponge group showed similar morphology to native dermis, while the SC sponge group without sDNA showed epithelial overgrowth, indicating that additional sDNA could reduce epidermal overgrowth. Furthermore, blood capillary formation was significantly enhanced in the sDNA/SC sponge group when compared to the SC sponge group. In conclusion, the results suggest that the sDNA/SC composite could be a potential wound dressing for clinical applications.     

Assessment of the cutaneous wound healing efficiency of acidic,neutral and alkaline bacterial cellulose membrane in rat

Recent research was conducted to evaluate the healing efficiency of bacterial cellulose (BC) as a wound dressing in different pHs and its possibility of being a smart wound dressing that can indicate pHs. BC was produced by environmentally isolated bacterial strains. After washing the best achieved BC, it was floated in normal saline with different pHs with phenol red used as a pH indicator. Finally the wound healing effects of the acidic, neutral and alkaline BC membranes were evaluated in rat cutaneous wounds. Results showed that one of the isolates which its partial 16srRNA genome had 95% similarity with Gluconacetobacter intermedius, had the thickest layer. The microscopic and macroscopic evaluations showed that the acidic BC had the best healing activity. Although the color of the films remained unchanged during the experiments because they were transparent and thin, these changes could not be easily seen. This suggests the use of thicker films such as the ones which are cross linked with some materials (e.g., sterile gauze). In conclusion the pH can affect the healing ability of natural BC and acidic pH had the best wound healing efficiency. In future it is better to use the acidic BC instead of natural one for different wound healing purposes.     

On-Demand Removable Self-Healing and pH-Responsive Europium-Releasing Adhesive Dressing Enables Inflammatory Microenvironment Modulation and Angiogenesis for Diabetic Wound Healing

Current diabetic wound treatments remain unsatisfactory due to the lack of a comprehensive strategy that can integrate strong applicability (tissue adhesiveness, shape adaptability, fast self-healability, and facile dressing change) with the initiation and smooth connection of the cascade wound healing processes. Herein, benefiting from the multifaceted bonding ability of tannic acid to metal ions and various polymers, a family of tannin–europium coordination complex crosslinked citrate-based mussel-inspired bioadhesives (TE-CMBAs) are specially developed for diabetic wound healing. TE-CMBAs can gel instantly (< 60 s), possess favorable shape-adaptability, considerable mechanical strengths, high elasticity, considerable wet tissue adhesiveness (≈40 kPa), favorable photothermal antimicrobial activity, excellent anti-oxidant activity, biocompatibility, and angiogenetic property. The reversible hydrogen bond crosslinking and sensitive metal–phenolic coordination also confers TE-CMBAs with self-healability, pH-responsive europium ion and TA releasing properties and on-demand removability upon mixing with borax solution, enabling convenient painless dressing change and the smooth connection of inflammatory microenvironment modulation, angiogenesis promotion, and effective extracellular matrix production leveraging the acidic pH condition of diabetic wounds. This adhesive dressing provides a comprehensive regenerative strategy for diabetic wound management and can be extended to other complicated tissue healing scenarios.     

Combined Langmuir-Blodgett and sol-gel coatings

Optical properties and in-depth structure of double-layer coatings on glass substrates were investigated. One of the layers was prepared by dip coating either from silica or titania sol, the other layer was made from ca. 130 nm Stöber silica particles by the Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) technique. Two different types of combined coatings were prepared: (1) nanoparticulate LB films coated with sol-gel (SG) films and (2) nanoparticulate LB films drawn onto SG films.Scanning electron microscopy and optical methods, i.e. UV-vis spectroscopy and scanning angle reflectometry were applied for analyzing the structure and thickness of coatings. These measurements revealed that the precursor sols could not penetrate into the particulate LB film completely in case of coating type (1). For coating type (2) very little overlap between the SG and LB layers was found resulting in significant improvement of light transmittance of combined coatings compared to single SG films.To show some possible advantages of the combination of these techniques additional studies were carried out. Surface morphology of combined coatings (1) was studied by atomic force microscopy. Surfaces with different roughness were developed depending on the thickness of the sol-gel film (titania: ca. 70 nm; silica: ca. 210 nm). The adhesive peel off test revealed improved mechanical stability of combined coatings (2), in comparison to LB films which makes them good candidates for further applications.