Construction of antibacterial nano-silver embedded bioactive hydrogel to repair infectious skin defects

Abstract

Background: Hydrogels loaded with antimicrobial agents have been widely developed for the treatment of infected wound defects. However, hydrogels derived from a porcine dermal extracellular matrix (PADM), containing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), have not yet been studied. Therefore, we investigated the therapeutic effect of a AgNP-impregnated PADM (AgNPs-PADM) hydrogel in the treatment of infected wound defects. Methods: A AgNPs-PADM hydrogel was synthesized by embedding AgNPs into a PADM hydrogel. We examined the porosity, moisture retention, degradation, antibacterial properties, cytotoxicity, antioxidant properties, and ability of PADM and AgNPs-PADM hydrogels to treat infected wounds in animals. Results: The PADM and AgNPs-PADM hydrogels were pH-sensitive, which made them flow dynamically under acidic conditions and become solid under neutral conditions. They also demonstrated porous network structures, satisfactory moisture retention, and slow degradation rates. Meanwhile, the AgNPs-PADM hydrogel showed a slow and sustained release of AgNPs for at least seven days without changing the size of the particles, so that they could exhibit adequate antibacterial ability, negligible toxicity, and antioxidant properties in vitro. Moreover, the AgNPs-PADM hydrogel successfully promoted the angiogenesis and wound healing of infected skin defects in vivo. Conclusions: A AgNPs-PADM hydrogel is a promising bioderived antibacterial material for clinical infected wound dressings.