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Dendrimer encapsulation enhances anti-inflammatory efficacy of silver nanoparticles
Xuelai Liu1, Wei Hao1, Chun-Nam Lok2
1Department of Surgery, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
Background:
Our previous studies revealed that silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) promoted wound healing in part through their anti-inflammatory actions. As recent reports also suggested anti-inflammatory effects of dendrimers, we therefore undertook this study using dendrimer as the delivery system for AgNP to explore any potential synergistic anti-inflammatory efficacy.
Methods:
Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was added to cultured RAW264.7 and J774.1 cells to mimic in vitro inflammation condition, followed by the addition of either silver dendrimer nanocomposite (Ag-DNC), AgNPs, or dendrimer. The levels of inflammatory markers TNF-alpha and interleukin-6 were assessed using ELISA assay. Furthermore, in vivo effects such of Ag-DNC, AgNPs, or dendrimer were studied in a burn wound model in mice.
Results:
Our results confirmed that both naked dendrimer and AgNPs had anti-inflammatory properties. In in vitro study, Ag-DNC was shown to have the best anti-inflammatory efficacy than AgNPs or dendrimer alone. In-vivo experiments also indicated that animals in the Ag-DNC group had the fastest healing time with the least inflammation.
Conclusion:
Our study would suggest that dendrimer could provide additional anti-inflammatory benefits and might be an excellent delivery system for silver nanoparticles for future clinical application.
