"Development and preliminary biocompatibility evaluation of an BG-Ag-rGO/PCL-collagen dermal patch with in-vitro antimicrobial activity".

Abstract

The study explored the development of a silver nanoparticle (AgNP) based dermal patch for evaluating the preliminary dermal response and in-vitro antimicrobial activity. Silver-doped bioglass (AgBG) nanoparticles were embedded in poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) along with graphene oxide (GO) and combined with collagen matrices through casting and electrospinning techniques to prepare a dermal patch. Six Wistar rats received it as a preclinical animal study, while six more in the control group received saline soaked gauze. The antimicrobial effectiveness of the resulting patches was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli using zone of inhibition (ZOI) and colony-forming unit reduction (CFU) assays, while the hemolytic activity on red blood cells was assessed to determine biocompatibility. The statistical analysis of dermal irritation scores and antimicrobial activity were done using SPSS software (version 29), Results indicated that electrospun BG-Ag-rGO/PCL patches exhibited significant antibacterial activity, with ZOIs of 20.1 ± 1.3 mm for S. aureus and 16.2 ± 1.2 mm for E. coli, alongside CFU reductions of 82.1% and 75.4%, respectively. The hemolytic assays suggested acceptable biocompatibility (<4%), except in the case of AgBG-GO composites. The study findings suggest that the patches provide a promising antimicrobial activity under in-vitro conditions, with validated skin-disinfection models, standard antiseptic comparators, toxicological assessment, and clinical evaluation to establish their safety and effectiveness in human applications.

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