Antimicrobial wound dressing and anti-inflammatory efficacy of silver nanoparticles

Powdered silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were successfully prepared through addition of AgNO3 to alkali dissolved starch followed by precipitation with ethanol. AgNPs aqueous suspensions were prepared from powder AgNPs by dispersion and dilution with water. Wound dressings were obtained by treating cotton fabrics with different concentrations of AgNPs aqueous suspensions (60, 125 and 250 ppm). The as prepared AgNPs were characterized using UV–vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), particle size analyzer, polydispersity index (PdI), zeta potential. The prepared AgNPs powder had particle size value (22 nm), polydispersity index (0.163) and zeta potential (−28 mV) indicating the formed AgNPs had small and well stabilized particles. The treated cotton fabrics were characterized by making use of SEM-EDX. Cotton fabrics containing 250 ppm AgNPs were more effective against different species of organisms than those containing 60 and 125 ppm. The results of potent healing using fabrics treated with 250 ppm AgNPs indicate that it leads to similar results compared with that of the Dermazin cream. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory effect AgNPs is nearly similar to 20 ml dose of the reference indomethacin drug.