Controlled delivery of mupirocin using chitosan films with silver nanoparticles

Abstract

Wound healing remains a challenge due to the proliferation of resistant microorganisms caused by burns, chronic illnesses, trauma, and post-surgery wounds. One treatment option is the use of topical antibiotics, such as mupirocin. To this end, we developed polymeric hydrogel films composed of chitosan cross-linked with epichlorohydrin and containing silver nanoparticles. These films serve as a matrix for the controlled delivery of mupirocin. The obtained results indicate that the films are promising for the development of controlled delivery systems for mupirocin. They exhibited favorable permeation kinetics, swelling capacity, uniformity, and antibacterial activity. However, of the films studied, the one containing silver nanoparticles obtained using sodium borohydride showed the best results in terms of antibacterial activity. Therefore, it has greater clinical potential for wound healing.