Using chitosan nanoparticles as drug carriers for the development of a silver sulfadiazine wound dressing

Burn wounds environment favors the growth of micro-organisms causing delay in wound healing. The traditional treatment with antimicrobial creams offer inaccurate doses. In the present study, a dressing coated with silver sulfadiazine (SSD) loaded chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) for the controlled-release of SSD into burn wound to control bacterial growth was investigated. CSNPs were formulated with different concentrations of chitosan and CM-β-CD and loaded with SSD complexed in 1:1 molar ratio with CM-β-CD, CSNPs were assessed for their particle size, polydispersity index, morphology and association efficiency. The formula showing the best characteristics was selected for the preparation of SSD loaded CSNPs wound dressing through a padding process with/without the use of cross-linker. The dressing was characterized for its physical properties, in addition, FTIR, X-ray, SEM and in vitro release were used for characterization. The dressing was proven effective for the inhibition of the growth of Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria as well as candida on an infected wound.