Potential wound dressing with improved antimicrobial property

Abstract

AbstractCultured skin substitutes have provided a new approach for the closure of wounds, but these avascular grafts are subject to microbial destruction that may lead to tissue infection. To minimize wound infection, HN‐300 (a new inorganic antimicrobial particle) was incorporated into the collagen–chitosan wound dressing. Antimicrobial, cytotoxicity, release rate, swelling, and mechanical properties of this material were assessed. The antimicrobial property was enhanced with the increasing dosage of HN‐300. When the concentration of HN‐300 was more than 5%, the films showed sustained and stable antimicrobial property within 144 h. When the concentration of HN‐300 was less than 7.5%, the wound dressings were noncytotoxic and compatible for L929 fibroblasts. So 5% HN‐300 in antimicrobial films was suitable and the concentration also could improve the mechanical properties of the collagen–chitosan wound dressings. After treatment with 5% glycerol, the film's stability was enhanced and silver ions were protected at the same time. Hence, collagen/chitosan/HN‐300 films are of great potential in application as wound dressing in future, because of their good biosafety and physical properties. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007