Design and <i>in vitro</i> investigation of nanocomposite hydrogel based <i>in situ</i> spray dressing for chronic wounds and synthesis of silver nanoparticles using green chemistry

Abstract

ABSTRACT An innovative concept of spontaneous film dressing has been designed as sprayed hydrogel dressings (SHD) using a blend of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and sodium alginate (SA) as synthetic and natural polymeric components and, were crosslinked with boric acid and calcium chloride, respectively. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are synthesized by green chemistry using Ficus benghalensis extract (FB) and were characterized by SEM and zeta sizer. FTIR spectra show polymeric interaction with AgNP s , while SEM images show outer surface of the SHD film. Equilibrium swelling and degradation in aqueous media (distilled water and buffers) are found to be dependent upon PVA/SA ratio. Polymeric combination exhibit pseudoplastic behavior with Farrow's constant &gt;1. Uniformly distributed AgNPs (particle size ∼27.55 ± 2.01 nm), high water retention (∼13 fold), and biodegradable (∼5 days) nature of dressing along with sustained release profile of both AgNPs and extract with concentration‐dependent antimicrobial activity have been observed for 24 h. Self shaped, biodegradable, aseptic, prolong anti‐oxidative, non‐hemolytic, blood compatible, and hemostatic properties of SHD film appears as promising dressing for superficial wounds. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133 , 43260.