Bacterial cellulose matrix with in situ impregnation of silver nanoparticles via catecholic redox chemistry for third degree burn wound healing.

In the present study, bacterial cellulose (BC) based nanocomposite dressing material was developed for third burn wound management by polydopamine (PD) coated BC with in situ reduction of silver nanoparticles (BC-PDAg). BC-PDAg nanocomposite was characterized to understand the morphological, physical and chemical properties. Antimicrobial activity of BC-PDAg against burn wound specific pathogens were significant. The in vitro cytotoxicity and proliferation studies revealed that BC-PDAg nanocomposite is biocompatible and it supports cell proliferation. Further, in vivo experiments on female albino Wistar rats confirmed that BC-PDAg was effective in wound healing by promoting re-epithelization, and collagen deposition as evidenced by histopathological analysis. Moreover, molecular gene expression study has revealed that BC-PDAg promotes healing process by regulating the expression of inflammatory, angiogenesis and growth factor genes. The overall performance of BC-PDAg nanocomposite suggests that it could be used as promising skin regenerative tool in modern medicine.