In situ functionalized nanobiocomposites dressings of bamboo cellulose nanocrystals and silver nanoparticles for accelerated wound healing

•Nanocomposites (NCs) contains of bamboo cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and AgNPs.•In situ single vessel approach was adopted for development of NCs.•Growth of broad spectrum bacteria was effectively inhibited upon NCs exposure.•Both ointment and film of NCs show enhanced wound healing effect in mice.•NCs dressings are biocompatible, cost-effective and contain low Ag concentrations.

An innovative approach was adopted where in situ synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from leaf extract mediated reduction of AgNO3 were simultaneously impregnated into the matrix of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) isolated from Dendrocalamus hamiltonii and Bambusa bambos leaves, for formation of nanobiocomposites (NCs) in film and ointment forms. Here, use of plant CNCs was chosen as an alternate to bacterial cellulose for wound dressings. NCs possessing water absorption capacity and strong antibacterial activity showed synergistic effect on in vivo skin wound healing and documented faster and significant wound closure in treated mice. NCs exhibited lesser inflammation and early vasculogenesis at day 3 coupled with increased fibroblasts and collagen content at day 8 leading to faster neo-epithelization by day 14. Highly effective, biocompatible, and easy to apply NCs wound dressings (ointment and films) containing low amounts of Ag (0.05 ± 0.01 wt%) are potential candidates for effective skin repair.