In-Vivo Antimicrobial Efficacy of Silver Nanoparticles-Loaded Hydrogel Dressings in Burn Wound Infections in Mice
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Prolonged healing and the emergence of antibiotic resistance render burn wound infections a significant challenge in clinical practice. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of hydrogel dressings infused with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) as an antibacterial agent in a murine model of burn wound infection. A biocompatible hydrogel matrix was employed to synthesize silver nanoparticles, which then underwent physicochemical characterization and antibacterial evaluation. Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were administered to mice via full-thickness burn wounds. Four groups of animals were selected for the experiment: control, plain hydrogel, standard therapy (silver sulfadiazine), and hydrogel infused with AgNPs. The therapy was applied topically once daily for fourteen days. A 3.2 log reduction in bacterial load was seen in the AgNP-loaded hydrogel group relative to the control group (p < 0.001), signifying potent antibacterial efficacy. After 14 days, the treated group exhibited significantly greater wound contraction (92.4%) compared to the plain hydrogel (71.6%), conventional treatment (85.3%), and control (54.2%) groups. The epithelialization period in the control group was 16.5 ± 1.2 days, whereas in the AgNP group, it decreased to 11.2 ± 0.8 days. Histopathological studies indicated that the AgNP-treated group exhibited superior tissue regeneration, reduced inflammatory infiltration, and increased collagen deposition. This study offers promising prospects for the management of infected burn wounds, demonstrating that hydrogel dressings infused with AgNPs exhibit potent antibacterial efficacy and significantly accelerate the healing process.
Language: English
Topic: Wound Healing and Treatments
Subfield: Surgery
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W7155409367