Development of antimicrobial colloidal silver incorporated lyophilized biopolymer wafers for wound care

Abstract

Abstract Background The field of wound care has an increasing patient base and wound dressings form an important segment in the field of wound care worldwide. Wounds are subjected to infection by many microorganisms and thus use of antimicrobials to treat chronic infected wounds is essential. The use of biopolymers by incorporation of aqueous colloidal silver by application of lyophilization technique in formulation of wafer dressings is an innovative method in the field of wound management. Methods Wafers were formulated using natural biopolymers sodium alginate and chitosan with plasticizer glycerol in different concentrations with embedded colloidal silver by lyophilization technique. Results The formulated wafers were of uniform thickness, soft, flexible, posessing good tensile properties and flexibility. The ESEM studies indicated the porous morphological structure with silver embededment within the matrix. The percentage of wound contraction rate was significantly increased in wounds treated with colloidal silver incorporated wound wafers incontrast to wafers without colloidal silver and marketed gel formulation containing colloidal silver. Conclusion Lyophilized antimicrobial wafers were developed as a successful wound dressing for combating microbial infections at the site of application with enhanced wound healing activity.