Infection-resistant hyperbranched epoxy nanocomposite as a scaffold for skin tissue regeneration

Abstract

Implantable devices and scaffolds are recently the focal points of biomedical research to address various human ailments. Infections associated with such appliances face severe consequences. In this report, hyperbranched epoxy/clay − silver nanocomposites are shown to be an infection-resistant tough implantable scaffold material. ‘Green’ silver nanoparticle embedded nanocomposites with varying percentages of nanoparticles were prepared by an ex situ technique. The thermosetting nanocomposites demonstrated an improvement of mechanical properties (tensile strength from 38 to 60 MPa) and adhesive strength from 768 to 2819 MPa compared with the pristine polymeric system. The nanocomposite surface inhibited the growth of antibiotic-resistant microbes such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans which are mostly responsible for surgical infections. The material is highly compatible with primary liver and cardiac cell lines of wistar rat. In vivo implantation of the material fostered wound healing in wistar rat. Hematological and histopathological parameters of the tested animals confirmed the compatibility of the scaffold with the in vivo system. Thus, the study forwards the nanocomposite as a potential infection-resistant implantable scaffold for skin tissue regeneration. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry