Hybrid Nanocomposite Wound Dressings by a Novel Nanorod Vitamin-B3-Ag Metal-Organic Framework and Bacterial Cellulose Nanofibers

Abstract This paper presents a novel nanorod metal-organic framework made of silver nods configured within nicotinic acid (vitamin-B3) linkers (AgNA) aimed at wound healing applications. X-ray diffraction analysis indicated that the synthesized AgNA MOFs comprised of zigzag chains of silver (I) nicotinate with orthorhombic crystal structure. Electron microscopy showed nanorod structures for the MOFs with uniform dimensions and element distribution. By seeding the AgNA MOFs into the bacterial cellulose (BC) nanofibers, an innovative BC-xAgNA nanocomposite was fabricated for wound dressing applications. MTT assay demonstrated improved biocompatibility for the BC-AgNA nanocomposites up to more than 116% cell viability. The Acridine Orange staining showed more than 87% of live/dead cells ratio for the prepared wound dressings. The fibroblast cells attached on the BC-AgNA nanocomposite exhibited expanded morphologies with long filopodia. The in vitro cellular scratch analysis demonstrated excellent wound healing by more than of 96% wound closure rate of the wound cured with the BC-AgNA nanocomposite. Evaluating the BC-xAgNA nanocomposites revealed their appropriate antibacterial activities against different bacterial strains. Synergistic wound healing effects corresponding to vitamin-B3, Ag, and BC nanofibers were observed. The results confirmed that the designed BC-AgNA nanocomposite can potentially be considered for wound healing and damaged tissue regeneration.