Polyurethane/siloxane membranes containing graphene oxide nanoplatelets as antimicrobial wound dressings: in vitro and in vivo evaluations

Abstract

Preserving wounds from bacterial and fungal infections and retaining optimum moist environment over damaged tissue are major challenges in wound care management. Application of wound dressings with antimicrobial activity and appropriate wound exudates handling ability is of particular significance for promoting wound healing. To this end, preparation and evaluation of novel wound dres1sings made from polyurethane/siloxane network containing graphene oxide (GO) nanoplatelets are described. The particular sol-gel hydrolysis/condensation procedure applied for the preparation of dressings leads to an appropriate distribution of GO nanoplatelets in the dressing membranes. The crosslinked siloxane domains and the presence of GO nanoplatelets within polymeric chains offered necessary mechanical strength for dressings. Meanwhile, a combination of hydrophilic and hydrophobic moieties in dressing backbone enabled suitable wound exudate management. Therefore, both of physical protection from external forces and preservation of moist environment over wound were attained by using the designed dressings. Widespread antimicrobial activity against gram-positive, gram-negative and fungal strains was recorded for the dressing with the optimum amount of GO, meanwhile, very good cytocompatibility against fibroblast cells was noted for these dressings. In vivo assay of the GO containing dressing on rat animal model reveals that the dressing can promote wound healing by complete re-epithelization, enhanced vascularization and collagen deposition on healed tissue.

Exposure of Smaller and Oxidized Graphene on Polyurethane Surface Improves its Antimicrobial Performance

“…This work explores the antimicrobial potential of graphene-based materials (GBM), in particular graphene nanoplatelets (GNP), for application on polyurethane (PU) catheters in order to prevent catheter-related infections. To our knowledge, modification of PU alone using GNP for antimicrobial applications has never been reported before, even though the two have been combined for other applications such as the improvement of mechanical, thermal and electrical properties [56][57][58][59][60][61][62][63]. Therefore, it was important to test different types of GNP by varying the platelet size and oxidation and, moreover, test different incorporation strategies such as the production of composites and the application as a coating.…”

Lipid- and gut microbiota-modulating effects of graphene oxide nanoparticles in high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemic mice

“…14 Up to now, the antimicrobial properties of GO have been successfully used to stainless steel, 5 cotton fabric, 15 polymer lms, [16][17][18][19][20] and water treatment membranes. 6,[21][22][23][24][25][26][27] However, whether GO can modulate microbial community in vivo still remains unknown.…”

Graphene Materials in Antimicrobial Nanomedicine: Current Status and Future Perspectives

“…[101] At the optimum GO content (5 wt%), the dressing shows good compatibility with fibroblast cells, and enhanced wound healing in terms of re-epithelization, vascularization, and collagen deposition (see Figure 5g). For example, GO nanoplatelet-containing polyurethane/siloxane network prepared through sol-gel hydrolysis/condensation procedure displays widespread antimicrobial effects against fungal and Gram-positive/-negative species.…”

“…Such is the case for almost all biomaterials used in medical device fabrication. [101] Copyright 2017, Springer. [89] Copyright 2014, American Chemical Society.…”