Green-synthesized silver-alginate-ciprofloxacin hydrogel: A multifaceted therapeutic for enhanced diabetic and burn Wound healing

Abstract

Wound healing is a complex physiological process involving coordinated phases of inflammation, tissue repair, and scar formation to restore tissue integrity. Recently, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been investigated for their potential to promote wound healing; however, their application is limited by concerns over cytotoxicity and the development of bacterial resistance. To address these limitations, this study presents the development of a silver-alginate hydrogel (AgSACip) incorporating ciprofloxacin, synthesized using green tea extract act as a biogenic reducing and stabilizing agent. Sodium alginate, a naturally derived macromolecule, serves as a biocompatible matrix to stabilize AgNPs, reduce cytotoxicity, and enhance therapeutic efficacy. The wound healing potential of AgSACip was evaluated in diabetic and burn wound models, and its antibacterial activity, cytotoxic effects, and pharmacokinetics were analyzed using in silico methods. The results demonstrate that AgSACip significantly accelerates wound healing compared to AgNPs and ciprofloxacin alone, particularly in diabetic and burn wounds. Furthermore, AgSACip exhibited enhanced antibacterial activity against bacterial strains isolated from wound pus samples and showed no cytotoxicity toward NIH-3T3 fibroblast cells. These findings highlight the potential of AgSACip, a macromolecule-based hydrogel, as a safe and effective alternative to conventional wound dressings, offering improved wound healing outcomes.