Preparation, characterization, and in vitro cytotoxicity of chitosan hydrogels containing silver nanoparticles

Hydrogels, chitosan as well as silver nanoparticles become in recent years materials characterized by a great interest. In present paper hydrogel based on chitosan and containing mentioned type of nano-sized particles have been synthesized by means of photopolymerization. Sorption capacity in selected liquids as well as behavior in simulated body fluid (such as Ringer's liquid) have been determined. Particularly attention was paid to the studies on toxicity of the hydrogels in relation to the epidermal cells as well as on their impact on growth of selected strain of bacteria (Escherichia coli). Furthermore, impact of introduction of nanosilver into hydrogel matrix on its properties has also been defined. Surface morphology of attained hydrogels by means of SEM analysis and chemical structure using spectroscopy have been checked. The most interesting conclusion is the fact that proposed chitosan based hydrogels modified with nanosilver do not affect negatively on epidermal cells. However, they inhibit a growth of E. coli. These two observations make them very interesting from the medical point of view.