Novel microbicide graphene oxide nanocomposite hydrogel against herpes simplex virus

Abstract

Hydrogels are 3D network soft materials capable of swelling in water. Graphene oxide (GO) hydrogels have garnered attention due to their inherent biocompatibility, large surface area, bioavailability, and excellent mechanical properties. In this study, we report the synthesis and characterization of a novel hydrogel nanocomposite incorporating GO, chitosan nanoparticles (CS NPs), zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs), and tannic acid (TA). TA acts as a green crosslinker for GO, a binder for ZnO NPs, and a material known for its antiviral and antimicrobial activity. GO sheets were used to stabilize ZnO NPs and prevent their agglomeration. We evaluated the antimicrobial and antiviral activity of the novel nanocomposite hydrogel against pathogenic microbes and the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1), which revealed strong inhibition effects.We demonstrated that the hydrogel nanocomposite incorporating TA, CS NPs,ZnO NPs, and GO sheets displays novel antimicrobial properties. The hydrogel nanocomposite presents a versatile framework for the integration of antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as antifungal and anti-Herpes virus (HSV-1) applications. Furthermore, this hydrogel exhibited superior antiviral activity against the HSV-1 virus, with nearly 86% inhibition. The hydrogels possess pH-responsive properties with no cytotoxic effects and represent an up-to-date strategy for improving antiviral surfaces, personal protective equipment (PPE), and sprays based on their excellent swelling properties.