Nanogels-empowered amino acid-capped silver nanoparticles for enhanced skin tissue regeneration

Abstract

Background

Addressing the global challenge of wound healing is facing significant hurdles due to infections and other related clinical issues. Different antimicrobial and moisturizing wound dressings with varying functionalities are under development to facilitate the healing process. This research aims to evaluate the efficacy of nanogels based on silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with amino acids (L-Tyrosine and L-Tryptophan) in promoting tissue regeneration.

Methods

Following the synthesis and characterization, wound-healing efficacy of newly synthesized nanogels was evaluated in albino mice. This evaluation involved analysis of wound contraction, oxidative stress enzyme evaluation, serum proteins analysis, and histological examination.

Results

The nanogels incorporating silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with L-Tryptophan amino acid (G@^Tryp−NPs) exhibited notable wound healing potential, with an 83.26 ± 0.66 % contraction observed within 12 days. Comparative analysis with the chemically-synthesized silver nanoparticles (C-AgNPs) nanogel (G@^C−NPs), L-Tyrosine AgNPs nanogel (G@^Tyr−NPs), and Polyfax® demonstrated the good wound healing potential of G@^Tryp−NPs. The levels of serum proteins exhibited significant increases across various treatment groups. In vivo, antioxidant enzyme catalase (CAT) and glutathione-s-transferase (GST) levels decreased in the G@^Tryp−NPs treated group compared to other groups and control groups—the histological examination further supports wound-healing activity of G@^Tryp−NPs.

Conclusion

Our findings propose that the amino acid-capped silver nanoparticle-based nanogels present promising results for potential wound healing, care, and management.