Composite Hydrogels with Embedded Silver Nanoparticles and Ibuprofen as Wound Dressing

The study developed a composite hydrogel for wound dressing, composed of Chitosan (CS) and Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA), embedded with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and ibuprofen. The hydrogel, containing 0.225 wt.% AgNPs and 0.264 wt.% ibuprofen, demonstrated good mechanical properties, high swelling degree, and sustained drug delivery. It exhibited strong antibacterial activity against S. aureus and K. pneumoniae due to the AgNPs. In vivo tests showed that the hydrogel accelerated wound regeneration by enhancing the expression of markers involved in inflammation, cell migration, proliferation, and wound closure. The study concludes that CS/PVA/AgNPs/Ib hydrogels have potential as effective wound dressings.