Cerium-oxide-loaded poly(ɛ-caprolactone) hydrogel wound dressing for cutaneous wound healing and antimicrobial treatment in burn wound infection: Development and detailed biological evaluation

Abstract

Wound dressing materials are essential in wound healing care management. In addition to their supportive effect on the care management, polysaccharides and metal oxide nanoparticles actively contribute to the healing process. CeO2 nanoparticles can promote wound healing through oxidative damage in the wound environment against elevated levels of reactive oxygen species. Therefore, it is necessary to develop multi-functional hydrogel wound dressing materials to stimulate wound healing. In this study, a CeO2-loaded poly(ɛ-caprolactone)/PEC polymeric hydrogel was fabricated as a cutaneous wound-healing material. The in-vitro cytotoxic and wound healing activities were analyzed using the fabricated material in mice. A histological examination showed that the nanofibrous material accelerated the reepithelialization and provided an excellent collagen deposition. In addition, the prepared hydrogels were tested against S. aureus and E. coli. Our results evidence the unique characteristics of the hydrogel wound dressing material exhibiting antibacterial and antioxidant activities and good biocompatibility and healing efficiencies by enhancing the reepithelialization and granulation formation and effectively accelerating the wound healing to prevent skin infections.