Modified gauze impregnated with SBH-based Ag-NPs, ZnO-NPs, and bimetallic Ag/ZnO-NPs for enhancing wound healing efficacy

Abstract

The study aims to evaluate the wound healing efficacy of modified gauze impregnated with Stingless Bee Honey (SBH)-based silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs), zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs), and bimetallic silver-zinc oxide nanoparticles (Ag/ZnO-NPs). The antimicrobial properties of these nanoparticles against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) were also investigated, focusing on their potential as advanced wound care dressings. Gauze was impregnated with SBH-based Ag-NPs, ZnO-NPs, and Ag/ZnO-NPs and tested for antimicrobial activity by determining the zone of inhibition (ZOI). Wound healing efficacy was evaluated in a comparative study using Sprague-Dawley rats with full-thickness wounds (n = 6 per group). Wound closure rates were measured at different time points; 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 days with statistical analysis performed using one- way ANOVA. ZnO-NPs demonstrated the highest wound closure rate, achieving a healing improvement of 50.54% by day 4, meanwhile Ag-NPs and bimetallic Ag/ZnO-NPs exhibited healing improvements of 38.12% and 35.13% on the same day, respectively. However, after 8 days, bimetallic Ag/ZnO-NPs showed the consistent highest healing rate until the end of the study. Antimicrobial testing revealed significant inhibition zones for all nanoparticle types against S. aureus and E. coli, with Ag-NPs showing consistence activity, suggesting their potential as an advanced wound care dressing. ZnO-NPs and Ag/ZnO-NPs also showed efficacy, albeit to a lesser extent. These findings highlight the feasibility of nanoparticle-impregnated gauze for effective wound management.