Accelerated healing of full thickness excised skin wound in rabbits using single application of alginate/acacia based nanocomposites of ZnO nanoparticles.

A perfect wound covering should prevent dryness of the wound and provide a favourable moist milieu at the wound interface allowing gas access but act as a barrier to the dirt and microorganisms. It is imperative to ensure early restoration of wound without scar formation at the site. Topical application of antiseptic preparation is the best for wound treatment because of its direct action. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) possess antimicrobial activity and enhance wound healing. Biocompatible polymers for inclusion of ZnO NPs can enhance the efficacy at lower doses while reducing the unwanted toxic effects. We synthesized ZnO NPs nanocomposites by impregnating the NPs in covalently attached gum acacia to the alginate exploiting the hydroxyl groups with aldehydes of glutaraldehyde, providing hydrated environment during wound application. Its topical application accelerated the full-thickness excision wound healing in rabbits. The polymers exerted synergistic effects due to their wound-healing potential. The wound-healing process was also investigated by transmission electron microscopy of regenerated tissues, collagen contents, alizared staining and histological observations to elucidate the healing mechanism compared to a commercially available ointment and negative controls. It has promising properties of biocompatibility, anti-inflammatory, cell adhesion and proliferation without any scar formation which are crucial for healing.