Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogel Associated with Silver in the Treatment of Experimentally Induced Partial-Thickness Burn Wounds in Mice.

Abstract

Burns are complex traumatic injuries that require specialized care. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of a hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogel associated with silver (HA+Ag) on partial-thickness burn wounds in mice, through macroscopic, morphometric, microscopic, and molecular analyses. Seventy-two BALB/c mice were divided into four groups: Control (saline), SSD (1.0% silver sulfadiazine cream), HA (1.0% hyaluronic acid hydrogel), and HA+Ag (1.0% hyaluronic acid hydrogel + 0.5% silver). At 7 days after injury (DAI), the HA+Ag group showed significantly greater wound contraction compared to the Control. Microscopic analysis revealed increased angiogenesis and fibroblast presence in the HA and HA+Ag groups, suggesting enhanced granulation tissue formation. No significant differences were observed in collagen fiber deposition. Gene expression analysis at 7 DAI showed higher levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-10 in the Control group, indicating a more intense inflammatory response in untreated animals. These differences were transient and were no longer observed at later time points. Therefore, the findings suggest that HA-based hydrogels, particularly when combined with silver, promote wound healing during the initial phase and represent a promising therapeutic alternative for partial-thickness burns.