Silver Nanoparticle-Infused Aloe Polysaccharides/ Polyvinyl Alcohol/Sodium Alginate Nanofiber Sheet for Enhanced Burn Wound Healing.

Introduction: Burn wounds are painful injuries that demand immediate and effective management. Conventional wound care solutions often have limitations, such as discomfort during application or removal and potential damage to healing tissue. Therefore, developing novel wound dressings that support biological processes and promote wound healing is highly beneficial. Electrospun nanofibers have emerged as a promising platform for the development of biomedical wound dressings due to their unique structural and functional properties. This study evaluates the burn wound healing potential of electrospun nanofibers composed of aloe polysaccharides, sodium alginate, and Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA), impregnated with Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs).

Method: AgNPs were synthesized using a green approach, employing Aloe vera as a reducing agent. Characterization of AgNPs was performed using UV-vis spectroscopy, FTIR, zeta potential analysis, and TEM. Aloe polysaccharides were extracted using ultrasonication and characterized via FTIR, XRD, and DSC. The extracted polysaccharides were then blended with PVA and sodium alginate to fabricate electrospun nanofiber sheets, into which the synthesized AgNPs were incorporated and analyzed for antibacterial, angiogenesis, and in vivo studies.

Results: AgNPs exhibited spherical morphology with sizes ranging from 20 to 27 nm under TEM. Electrospun nanofiber sheet displayed a uniform structure with an average fiber diameter of 129 nm, as confirmed by SEM analysis. A sustained release of silver ions (78.98 ± 0.61% over 48 hours) was observed. The nanofibers exhibited strong antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, promoted angiogenesis, and significantly enhanced wound healing in a burn wound model.

Discussion: AgNPs impregnated nanofiber sheet exhibited superior wound healing, angiogenesis, and antibacterial properties ideal for wound healing applications. The nanofiber sheets mimicked the extracellular matrix and supported angiogenesis. Enhanced wound closure in vivo studies confirmed the therapeutic potential of the nanofibers.

Conclusion: AgNPs-impregnated nanofiber sheets offer antibacterial activity and support angiogenesis, suggesting their potential as a multifunctional wound dressing for effective burn treatment.