Development and preclinical investigation of vancomycin loaded oxidized cellulose dressing for management of wounds

Wounds are vulnerable to microbial infiltration, leading to severe infections; to address this, we developed an antimicrobial wound dressing with prolonged residence time and controlled drug release. The study focused on the synthesis and characterization of oxidized cellulose, which was subsequently used to develop a vancomycin-loaded oxidized cellulose‑sodium alginate wound dressing crosslinked with calcium chloride. The optimized film showed a folding endurance of 257.33 ± 1.52, a swelling index of 133.40 ± 1.32%, and tensile strength of 0.66 ± 0.09 N/mm². Its porosity of 66.67 ± 1.23% and water vapor evaporation rate of 12.48 ± 0.11 mg/cm²/h ensure breathability and efficient exudate absorption. In-vitro studies showed 77.98 ± 1.51% controlled drug release over 12 h, with antimicrobial activity comparable to tetracycline against S. aureus, E. coli, and B. subtilis. The dressing was non-sensitizing, non-haemolytic, and cytocompatible with L929 cells. In-vivo wound healing in rats demonstrated complete wound closure in 16 days, with a significant reduction (p < 0.01) in inflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNF-α, and MMP-9. Histopathological analysis revealed reduced lesion severity in treated rats. This research underscores the potential of vancomycin-loaded oxidized cellulose dressings as an effective solution for managing infected wounds, improving therapeutic outcomes.