There has been increasing interest in wound dressings that deliver therapeutic agents to enhance healing and mitigate infection. This study aimed to formulate a nanohydrogel by incorporating phytosynthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) derived from Sinapsis alba (SA) and to evaluate its in vivo wound-healing potential. Characterization of SA AgNPs by Ultraviolet-Visible spectrophotometry (UV-Vis) showed a prominent peak at 415 nm. Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) analysis revealed that bioactive molecules of the SA extract are crucial for reduction and stabilization. X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD) validated a face-centred cubic structure with a mean crystalline size of 15.36 nm. Field Emission - Scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) visuals confirmed spherical-shaped nanoparticles (19.4 nm). Antibacterial assay showed varying zones of inhibition (ZOI: 10.6–22.3 mm; MIC and MBC: 16 and 128 μg/ml). Antioxidant assay showed 92.6% radical neutralizing activity at 100 µg/ml. Brine shrimp assay using Artemia salina larvae affirmed the non-toxicity of AgNPs. A chitosan-SA AgNPs hydrogel (nanohydrogel) was formulated and evaluated for spreadability (245 ± 12.58%), in vitro drug release (63.3 ± 0.3% after 3 h), and swelling capacity (65.4%). Morphological analysis of the hydrogels by FE-SEM revealed a dense, porous microstructure embedded with nanoparticles. FT-IR analysis indicated efficient physical embedding and possible chemical binding between chitosan and SA AgNPs. The nanohydrogel showed no dermal toxicity and accelerated wound healing and closure by over 94% in Wistar albino rats, with histopathological evaluations confirming enhanced tissue regeneration. The remarkable antibacterial and antioxidant properties, wound-healing attributes, and non-toxic nature of nanohydrogels make them suitable candidates for developing phyto-nano-based wound healing agents.
Britina et al. (Thu,) studied this question.
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