Ag-Contained Superabsorbent Curdlan–Chitosan Foams for Healing Wounds in a Type-2 Diabetic Mice Model
Elizaveta S. Permyakova, Anton S. Konopatsky, K.I. Ershov, K.I. Bakhareva, Natalya A. Sitnikova, Dmitry V. Shtansky, Anastasiya O. Solovieva, Anton Manakhov
Abstract
This study focused on the synthesis and characterization of pure curdlan–chitosan foams (CUR/CS), as well as foams containing Ag nanoparticles (CUR/CS/Ag), and their effect on the skin repair of diabetic mice (II type). The layer of antibacterial superabsorbent foam provides good oxygenation, prevents bacterial infection, and absorbs exudate, forming a soft gel (moist environment). These foams were prepared from a mixture of hydrolyzed curdlan and chitosan by lyophilization. To enhance the antibacterial properties, an AgNO3 solution was added to the curdlan/chitosan mixture during the polymerization and was then reduced by UV irradiation. The membranes were further investigated for their structure and composition using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy, and XPS analysis and modeling. In vivo tests demonstrated that CUR/CS/Ag significantly boosted the regeneration process compared with pure CUR/CS and the untreated control.