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Updated: Apr 5, 2026
Formulation of Zinc-Based Nanomaterials using the Eucommia ulmoides Bark Extract and their Wound Healing Potential
Published on: December 27, 2024
Engineered multifunctional nanobioplatform based on carboxymethyl cellulose loaded with ZnO/Ag nanocomposite and
Saba Fakhlaee1, Shefa Mirani Nezhad1, Ehsan Nazarzadeh Zare1
1School of Chemistry, Damghan University, Damghan, 36716-45667, Iran.
Abstract:
The goal of this study was to develop multifunctional, biocompatible wound-dressing films by incorporating Onosma dichroantha Boiss root extract (O. dichroantha) and green-synthesized ZnO/Ag nanocomposite (ZnO/Ag NC) into a polyvinyl alcohol/carboxymethyl cellulose (PVA/CMC) matrix. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy confirmed successful component integration. FTIR verified key functional groups and strong interactions among polymers, nanoparticles, and plant extract, while XRD revealed the amorphous PVA/CMC matrix with distinct ZnO and Ag crystalline peaks. FESEM showed uniform nanoparticle dispersion and morphology changes induced by extract incorporation. Mechanical testing revealed that films containing both the extract and nanoparticles achieved tensile strength up to 24.08 MPa and elongation at break of 10.36 mm. The composites showed significant antibacterial activity (9-12 mm zones of inhibition) against Escherichia coli, Salmonella enteritidis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis, with the extract demonstrating superior minimum bactericidal concentration (20 μL) versus the ZnO/Ag NC (>40 μL for Staphylococcus aureus). Antioxidant assays revealed 73.7% 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging and high ferric reducing antioxidant power (14,500 μM FeSO₄ equivalents). In vitro tests showed excellent cytocompatibility (>89% cell viability in MTT assays) and hemocompatibility (<3% hemolysis). The films exhibited controlled swelling behavior and >65% biodegradation within 40 days. In vivo studies demonstrated accelerated wound healing, particularly with 7% O. dichroantha formulations, attributed to synergistic antioxidant and antibacterial effects and optimal moisture maintenance. Importantly, this study presents a novel multifunctional wound dressing by combining green-synthesized ZnO/Ag NC with O. dichroantha extract within a PVA/CMC matrix, demonstrating a unique synergistic improvement in antimicrobial, antioxidant, and in vivo wound-healing performance. These polyvinyl alcohol/carboxymethyl cellulose-based nanocomposites show exceptional multifunctionality for next-generation wound care applications.
