Iron-Copper Bimetallic Nanocomposite Reinforced Dressing Materials for Infection Control and Healing of Diabetic Wound

A multifunctional nanomaterial based wound healing matrix was fabricated by modified co-precipitation and chemical reduction method. The matrix was comprised of either a bimetallic Fe-Cu nanocomposite powder or a wound bed made up of absorbent cotton swab impregnated with bimetallic Fe-Cu nanocomposite. The detailed analytical studies of both dressing materials ( powder and cotton bed) were carried out with transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray, and bright field microscopy. Both the nanocomposite powder and the nanocomposite impregnated cotton swab exhibited antimicrobial activity against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria, including multidrug-resistant bacteria (such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) as well as against fungus isolated from different human biological samples (pus/tissue culture/urine). For real time applications, the in vivo wound healing ability of both dressing materials was also carried out in Wistar albino rats with infected diabetic wounds. These biocompatible and biodegradable dressing materials with broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties have exhibited more than 20 mm in diameter zone of microbial growth inhibition against several types of microbes. Remarkably, they have also been found to assist in healing of infected diabetic wounds and show a prospect in the management of other infectious wounds.