Synthesis and Characterization of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Stabilized with Biopolymers for Application in Wound-Healing Mixed Gels

Abstract

A method for the synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) gels was developed. ZnO NPs were obtained through a sol–gel method with zinc acetate usage as a precursor. Optimization of the method of synthesis of ZnO NPs gel has been carried out. It was observed that the most stable ZnO NPs gels are formed at room temperature, pH = 8 and molar concentration of zinc C(Zn2+) = 0.05–0.2 M. It was shown that the addition of polysaccharide significantly affects the rheological properties and microstructure of ZnO NPs gels. We found that the optimal polysaccharide for the synthesis of ZnO NPs gels is hydroxyethyl cellulose. It is shown that the microstructure of a gel of ZnO NPs stabilized with hydroxyethyl cellulose is represented by irregularly shaped particles that are assembled into aggregates, with sizes ranging from 150 to 1400 nm. A significant hysteresis region is observed in a gel of ZnO NPs stabilized with hydroxyethyl cellulose. The process of interaction of ZnO NPs with polysaccharides was investigated. It was shown that the interaction of ZnO NPs with polysaccharides occurs through a charged hydroxyl group. In the experiment, a sample of a gel of ZnO NPs modified with hydroxyethyl cellulose was tested. It was shown that the gel of ZnO NPs modified with hydroxyethyl cellulose has a pronounced regenerative effect on burn wounds, which is significantly higher than that of the control group and the group treated with a gel of ZnO microparticles (MPs) and hydroxyethyl cellulose. It is also shown that the rate of healing of burn wounds in animals treated with gel of ZnO nanoparticles with hydroxyethyl cellulose (group 3) is 16.23% higher than in animals treated with gel of ZnO microparticles with hydroxyethyl cellulose (group 2), and 24.33% higher than in the control group treated with hydroxyethyl cellulose. The average rate of healing of burn wounds for the entire experimental period in experimental animals of group 3 is 1.26 and 1.54 times higher than in animals of group 2 and control group, respectively. An experimental study of a gel of ZnO NPs modified with hydroxyethyl cellulose has shown the effectiveness of its use in modeling the healing of skin wounds through primary tension.

Functionalized ZnO-Based Nanocomposites for Diverse Biological Applications: Current Trends and Future Perspectives

“…Hydroxyethylcellulose was identified as the optimal choice for gel preparation and was applied in treating burns on mongrel white rats, either alone or in conjugation with ZnO. The study revealed that the addition of micro-ZnO to a hydroxyethylcellulose gel increased the burn healing rate in rats by 16.23% compared to the hydroxyethylcellulose gel alone [ 192 ].…”

Antimicrobial Nano-Zinc Oxide Biocomposites for Wound Healing Applications: A Review

“…Zinc oxide and biomacromolecules have been combined in different ways to promote wound healing. Blinov and co-workers formulated different gels by combining nano- and micro-ZnO with several biomacromolecules, namely maltodextrin, agar–agar, methylcellulose, amylopectin, and hydroxyethylcellulose [ 231 ]. The latter was found to be optimal for gel preparation and was used to treat burns on mongrel white rats, either alone or in combination with micro- or nano-zinc oxide.…”

Design of V2O5 Blocks Decorated with Garlic Peel Biochar Nanoparticles: A Sustainable Catalyst for the Degradation of Methyl Orange and Its Antioxidant Activity

“…According to the literature, most metal oxides have antioxidant activity and, thus, they are emerging as effective antioxidants and therapeutic reagents. In general, the hydroxyl free radical is accountable for tissue damage and is associated with inflammation; hence, the removal of this free radical is acknowledged as the main goal of antioxidant treatment [55][56][57][58][59]. The DPPH assay experiment was applied to examine the antioxidant activity of synthesized VO/GPB composite in the varied concentration range of 20-40 mg/L using ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) as a standard drug in this work.…”