Skin wound healing acceleration by Ag nanoparticles embedded in PVA/PVP/Pectin/Mafenide acetate composite nanofibers

Abstract Wound healing is an important issue in the modern world. In this research, wound healing properties of silver nanoparticles embedded in electrospun nanofibers containing polyvinylalcohol (PVA), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), pectin (PEC) and Mafenide acetate (MF) was studied. Reduction of Ag+ ions and stabilization of the Ag nanoparticles was achieved easily in PVA solution and the obtained colloid was then mixed with PVP, PEC and MF solutions to obtain the target electrospun nanofibers. Average diameter of the silver nanoparticles was estimated about 24 nm by using powder X-Ray diffraction (XRD) data. Antibacterial activity of the nanofibers against E. coli, P. aeroginosa and S. aureus was studied in vitro. The in vitro cytotoxicity test of the nanofibers was performed using MTT assay and showed that the nanofibers were nontoxic and biocompatible. Dermal regeneration studies of wound dressings were carried out in vivo on wound of animal models. It was found that incorporation of silver nanoparticles into PVA/PVP/PEC/MF matrix had a remarkable effect on wound healing in New Zealand white rabbits. The best result was obtained by AgNPs/PVA/PVP/PEC/MF composition of 0.7:91.8:2.5:2.5:2.5 wt%.