Development and evaluation of gelatin/hyaluronic acid nanofibrous dressing loaded with silver nanoparticles and phenytoin for enhanced wound healing: an in-vitro and in-vivo study.

Abstract

Background and purpose: Wound dressings are essential in managing chronic wounds like pressure ulcers, which increase healthcare costs and hospital stays. There is a rising demand for advanced dressings that effectively promote healing. This study developed electrospun gelatin-hyaluronic acid (Gel/HA) nanofibers loaded with silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) and phenytoin to enhance wound healing.

Experimental approach: Ag NPs were synthesized via silver nitrate reduction using trisodium citrate and tannic acid, and characterized for size, zeta potential, PDI, UV-Vis absorption, and XRD patterns. Drug-free and drug-loaded Gel/HA nanofibers were fabricated and analyzed using FE-SEM, FTIR, DSC, XRD, swelling behavior, drug loading, and release profiles. In vitro antibacterial and in vivo wound healing studies were conducted.

Findings/results: Optimized Ag NPs had a size of 41.96 ± 1.2 nm, zeta potential of -23.77 ± 1.31 mV, and PDI of 0.35 ± 0.02. The ideal nanofiber formulation (20 g Gel and 0.25 g HA/100 mL) showed drug loading efficiencies of 56.02 ± 1.8% (Ag NPs) and 61.02 ± 2.82% (phenytoin), with release times of 22.23 and 28.53 h, respectively. The nanofibers demonstrated high swelling (822.2%) and strong antibacterial activity. In vivo studies revealed significantly faster wound closure, improved epithelialization, collagen deposition, and complete healing within 15 days. These effects reflect the synergy between Ag NPs' antimicrobial and phenytoin's regenerative properties.

Conclusion and implications: Gel/HA nanofibers loaded with Ag NPs and phenytoin show great promise as advanced wound dressings. Further studies in larger animal models and clinical trials are warranted.