Honey-Loaded Egg White/Poly(vinyl alcohol)/Clay Bionanocomposite Hydrogel Wound Dressings: In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluations

Abstract

Bionanocomposite hydrogels are suitable candidates for the preparation of the ideal wound dressings due to their unique hydrophilic properties, biocompatibility and appropriate control in delivering therapeutic agents such as drugs, proteins and cells. In this work, bionanocomposite hydrogel wound dressings based on egg white, poly (vinyl alcohol) and clay nanoparticles loaded with honey, as a natural antibiotic, were prepared using the freezing–thawing cyclic process and their performances evaluated in vitro and in vivo as novel wound dressings. The results showed that the swelling and dehydration capabilities of the prepared bionanocomposite hydrogel wound dressings decreased by increasing the content of incorporated clay nanoparticles. Honey release test showed that the presence of clay nanoparticles acts as a key factor in the release of honey and causes control over its release from the wound dressings. The in vivo results exhibited the excellent ability of the honey-loaded bionanocomposite hydrogel wound dressings in the creation and keeping a moist region on the surface of the infected and non-infected wounds and their capability in accelerating the healing process of animal wounds.