Preparation of novel chitosan/poly (ethylene glycol)/ZnO bionanocomposite for wound healing application: Effect of gentamicin loading

The antibiotic gentamicin was loaded into a novel bionanocomposite of chitosan-zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles, poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG) cross-linked with sodium tri polyphosphate (STPP), and its wound healing efficiency was investigated in an attempt to enhance wound healing by controlling the release of drugs. ZnO nanoparticles with an average particle size of about 50 nm were prepared by a co-precipitation method and incorporated into a chitosan/PEG bionanocomposite to enhance antimicrobial properties of the composite. The size, morphology, elemental analysis, micro structure, swelling properties, cytocompatibility, antimicrobial properties, and wound healing properties of both nanoparticles and bionanocomposites were evaluated. Cytotoxicity analysis was carried out on Vero cells and BHK 21 cells, and both results confirmed the biocompatibility of the bionanocomposite. In vitro analysis demonstrated the enhanced antibacterial activity of drug-loaded bionanocomposites on E. coli and S. enterica because of the combined effect of the drug and ZnO nanoparticles. In vivo analysis of drug-loaded bionanocomposites showed better healing properties than commercial hydrogel wound dressing without any scar formation. Prepared bionanocomposite showed high biocompatibility with excellent antibacterial activities. Overall, the performed studies confirmed chitosan/ poly (ethylene glycol)/-zinc oxide based release system can be a potential candidate for wound dressing applications with sustained drug release.