The effects of bioactive glass hydrogel coated with hyaluronic acid-Pluronic F-127 conjugates containing silver nanoparticles to accelerate healing of infected wounds

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance has forced researchers to produce new dressings for the treatment of infected wounds. Tissue engineering based on biomaterials is used to accelerate the wound healing process. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of bioactive glass (BG) hydrogel coated with hyaluronic acid (HA)-Pluronic F-127 (PLF-127) conjugates containing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) for healing the infected wounds. HA/BG, PL&HA/BG and PL&HA/BG-AgNPs formulations were designed and their properties were evaluated for application in the wound healing process. Safety and antibacterial properties of formulations were also evaluated. These were applied for the treatment of infected wounds and their efficiencies were assessed by measuring wound contraction, total bacterial count, pathological parameters and the expression of positive cells of cyclin-D1, c-Myc, WNT-1, B-Catenin, and COL-1A. The synthesized thermally reversible hydrogels demonstrated sol-gel transition, indicating the gels’ potential as injectable hydrogels. These exhibited antibacterial properties and safety. The PL&HA/BG-AgNPs, PL&HA/BG and HA/BG hydrogels showed greatest wound healing activities, respectively and could compete with Polysporin® due to their effects on total bacterial count and modulation in increasing the expressions of B-Catenin, COL-1A, cyclin-D1 and c-Myc. In sum, PL&HA/BG-AgNP hydrogels are good candidate for accelerating the wound healing process and as alternatives for antibiotics in the treatment of infected wounds.