Probing the wound healing potential of biogenic silver nanoparticles

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are known for their antimicrobial profile and wound healing activities. However, cytotoxicity and cosmetic abnormalities associated with silver pose a major challenge in their translation for therapeutic applications. Our objective was to develop biogenic AgNPs, using a single-step green synthesis, and to investigate their in vitro and in vivo behaviour as wound-healing agents.

AgNPs were prepared using the green synthesis approach with aqueous Bryonia laciniosa leaves extract. The AgNPs were then evaluated for physicochemical properties, stability, and antimicrobial and in vivo wound healing activities.

Stable AgNPs with characteristic absorption at 408nm and 15±3nm particle size were generated via the active involvement of Bryonia laciniosa. No loss of stability was detected after 6 months at room temperature. Antibacterial activity was observed against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria with no cytotoxicity observed in vitro at a concentration of 200 μg/mL and effective cytokine modulation. In vivo wound healing experiments showed improved wound contracting ability in rats where, after 14 days, wound alleviation was 47.1±2.2% in the control groups, compared with 78.1±1.4% and 92.6±6.7% for a silver-based marketed cream and the AgNPs, respectively.

The developed AgNPs proved to be superior wound healing agents owing to scarless healing with insignificant inflammation and toxicity.

There were no external sources of funding for this study. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.