Functionalization of Chitosan with Silver Oxide and Berberis aristata for Bioactive Composites with In Vivo Wound Healing Evaluation

This study focuses on the modification of chitosan (Cs) with silver oxide (Ag₂O) nanoparticles and Berberis aristata (B. aristata) (denoted as BA) extract to develop advanced wound dressing films. Cs/Ag₂O and Cs/Ag₂O/BA films were fabricated via solution casting with TEOS cross-linking, incorporating ultrasonically dispersed Ag₂O and BA extract under stirring, followed by structural, antimicrobial, and wound healing evaluation. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analyses confirmed the successful incorporation of Ag₂O nanoparticles into the chitosan matrix, with characteristic shifts in the spectra and crystalline diffraction patterns. The antibacterial properties were assessed using the agar disk diffusion method, revealing that Cs/Ag₂O/BA-3% films exhibited the highest inhibition zones of 17 mm against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and 16 mm against Streptococcus aureus (S. aureus), indicating strong antimicrobial efficacy. The films also demonstrated excellent swelling behavior, with a maximum water absorption of over 60% and showed remarkable hydrolytic and oxidative stability, with Cs/Ag₂O/BA-3% exhibiting 19 and 82 days of stability, respectively. The enhanced swelling and stability indicate aptness for maintaining a moist wound environment, which is critical for rapid healing. In vivo wound healing studies conducted on a rabbit model showed that Cs/Ag₂O/BA-3% promoted the most significant wound closure, with 98% closure by Day 7, compared to Cs-blank (84%) and commercial gauze (77%). These results highlight the potential of Cs/Ag₂O/BA composites as effective, bioactive wound dressings with enhanced healing, antimicrobial, and stability properties, making them promising candidates for advanced wound care applications. In this context, and considering the worldwide increase in antibiotic-resistant infections and the growing need for bioactive wound dressings, these outcomes present a hopeful, affordable, and expandable approach to enhanced wound treatment. Hence, they show promising potential for application as bioactive wound dressings for infected and chronic wounds.