<p>Montmorillonite-norfloxacin nanocomposite intended for healing of infected wounds</p>

Abstract

<b>Background:</b> Chronic cutaneous wounds represent a major issue in medical care and are often prone to infections. <b>Purpose:</b> The aim of this study was the design of a clay mineral-drug nanocomposite based on montmorillonite and norfloxacin (NF, antimicrobial drug) as a powder for cutaneous application, to enhance wound healing in infected skin lesions. <b>Methods:</b> The nanocomposite has been prepared by means of an intercalation solution procedure. Adsorption isotherm, solid-state characterization of the nanocomposite, drug loading capacity and its release have been performed. Moreover, cytocompatibility, in vitro fibroblast proliferation and antimicrobial activity against <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> and <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> were assessed. <b>Results:</b> The clay drug adsorption isotherm demonstrates that the mechanism of NF intercalation into montmorillonite galleries is the adsorption as one single process, due to the charge-charge interaction between protonated NF and negatively charged montmorillonite edges in the interlayer space. Nanocomposite is biocompatible and it is characterized by antimicrobial activity greater than the free drug: this is due to its nanostructure and controlled drug release properties. <b>Conclusion:</b> Considering the results obtained, NF-montmorillonite nanocomposite seems a promising tool to treat infected skin lesions or skin wounds prone to infection, as chronic ulcers (diabetic foot, venous leg ulcers) and burns.