Healing Skin Wounds with Aloe and Silver-infused Chitosan Membranes

Jim Crocker
2nd August, 2024

Healing Skin Wounds with Aloe and Silver-infused Chitosan Membranes

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • Researchers at Tiradentes University developed a new wound dressing using chitosan, Aloe vera extract, and silver nanoparticles
  • The dressing is hydrophilic, attracting water, but the version with Aloe vera and silver nanoparticles absorbs less water, preventing excessive moisture
  • The dressing degrades naturally over time, reducing the need for frequent changes, and has strong antimicrobial properties to prevent infections
Wound healing is a critical aspect of medical care, especially for hard-to-heal ulcers and chronic wounds. Effective treatments to enhance healing and reduce scarring are still lacking[2]. The transition from the inflammatory to the proliferative phase is a key step during healing, and targeting factors that impact this transition may offer a rationale for therapeutic development[2]. Neutrophils, which are immune cells that accumulate at sites of tissue injury, play a significant role in both preventing microbial invasion and promoting tissue restoration[3]. Chronic wounds, characterized by their inability to heal within an expected time frame, pose a significant clinical challenge[4]. A recent study conducted by researchers at Tiradentes University has proposed a novel solution to this problem by developing a new type of wound dressing based on polymeric membranes[1]. These membranes are made from chitosan, a natural biopolymer, and incorporate glycolic extract of Aloe vera along with silver nanoparticles. This innovative dressing aims to assist in the healing process and prevent additional complications such as bacterial infections. The researchers used a casting technique to create these membranes and evaluated their morphological and physicochemical characteristics, degree of swelling, degradation profile, and antimicrobial activity. Morphological analyses confirmed the successful synthesis and presence of silver nanoparticles within the polymeric membrane. Chemical compatibility between the materials was demonstrated through thermal analysis (TGA and DSC) combined with ATR-FTIR tests, showing the complexation of the membranes. One of the key findings was that all membranes were hydrophilic, meaning they attract water (with a contact angle (ө) < 90°). However, the highest degree of swelling was observed in the chitosan (Mb-Ch) membrane (69.91 ± 5.75%), while the lowest was in the Mb-Ch-Ex.Av-NPs membrane (26.62 ± 8.93%). This indicates that the latter membrane absorbs less water, which could be beneficial in preventing excessive moisture at the wound site. The degradation profile, which indicates how quickly the material breaks down, was higher for the Mb-Ch-Ex.Av-NPs membrane (77.85 ± 7.51%) compared to the Mb-Ch membrane (57.60 ± 2.29%). A higher degradation rate is advantageous as it suggests the dressing will naturally break down over time, reducing the need for frequent changes. The bioactive dressings also demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity against common pathogens like Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. This antimicrobial property is crucial for preventing infections, which are a major impediment to wound healing[3][5]. This study ties together previous findings on the importance of transitioning from the inflammatory to the proliferative phase in wound healing[2] and the role of neutrophils in both preventing infections and promoting tissue restoration[3]. The incorporation of silver nanoparticles enhances the antimicrobial properties of the dressing, addressing the issue of bacterial infections that can complicate wound healing[3]. Furthermore, the use of Aloe vera, known for its healing properties, complements the chitosan base, creating a more effective wound dressing. In summary, the development of these chitosan-based membranes incorporating Aloe vera extract and silver nanoparticles represents a significant advancement in the field of wound care. By addressing the critical factors of infection control and promoting efficient healing, this new bioactive dressing could potentially improve outcomes for patients with chronic and hard-to-heal wounds[2][3][4][5].

MedicineHealthBiotech

References

Main Study

1) Chitosan membranes incorporating Aloe vera glycolic extract with joint synthesis of silver nanoparticles for the treatment of skin lesions.

Published 30th July, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1007/s13346-024-01683-x

Related Studies

2) Transition from inflammation to proliferation: a critical step during wound healing.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-016-2268-0

3) The Healing Power of Neutrophils.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.it.2019.05.001

5) Factors affecting wound healing.

https://doi.org/10.1177/0022034509359125


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