Chitosan-starch biodegradable hydrogels incorporating core-shell copper nanoparticles for complex wound healing

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Chronic and infected wounds, especially in diabetic patients, pose significant healing challenges due to poor regeneration and bacterial infections.
• Current treatments often struggle to provide both antimicrobial action and promote tissue repair effectively.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a biodegradable hydrogel incorporating copper core-shell nanoparticles (CuNp) for enhanced wound healing.
• To evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy, biocompatibility, and regenerative potential of the developed hydrogel in wound models.

Main Methods:

• Biodegradable hydrogels were fabricated from chitosan and starch, crosslinked with genipin and functionalized with synthesized CuNp.
• Characterization included TEM, AFM, SEM, EDS, and FTIR. Antimicrobial activity was tested against S. aureus, C. albicans, and E. faecalis.
• Cytocompatibility was assessed using human dermal fibroblasts, and in vivo studies were conducted on diabetic and healthy murine wound models.

Main Results:

• The hydrogel exhibited a porous structure with homogeneous CuNp dispersion and demonstrated significant broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity.
• In vivo studies showed accelerated wound closure, increased epithelial thickness, and enhanced re-epithelialization in CuNp-loaded hydrogels.
• Histology confirmed improved collagen deposition and skin appendage restoration, with no observed systemic toxicity in safety assessments.

Conclusions:

• The CuNp-loaded chitosan-starch hydrogel is a promising biodegradable wound dressing.
• It offers combined antimicrobial and regenerative properties, suitable for treating complex or chronic wounds.
• The formulation demonstrates clinical relevance and biocompatibility for advanced wound care applications.