Gelatin-based scaffold incorporating Ag nanoparticles decorated polydopamine nanoparticles for skin tissue engineering

Skin plays an important role in several body functions. Once the skin integrity is lost because of injury, finding an effective way to facilitate the wound healing process is extremely essential. In this study, an appropriate composite is designed for wound dressing based on gelatin scaffold containing Ag nanoparticles decorated polydopamine nanoparticles (PDA-Ag NPs), to reduce wound bacterial colonization and accelerate the healing process. The prepared nanoparticles and scaffolds were then chemically and physically characterized by FTIR, FESEM, EDX and DLS. The scaffolds' water uptake, mechanical strength and silver ion release were also measured. Biological analysis including antibacterial test and cell viability were investigated. DLS results indicated that the average diameter of synthesized PDA-Ag NPs was 383 +/- 14.3 nm. By adding PDA-Ag NPs to gelatin-based scaffold, the maximum tensile strength increased from 0.388 +/- 0.120 to 0.483 +/- 0.112 MPa, tensile modulus increased from 0.058 +/- 0.017 to 0.083 +/- 0.015 MPa as well. Water uptake of gelatin-based scaffolds has also indicated about 800 to 1400% increase compared with the initial weight. The antibacterial, good biocompatibility and cell adhesion results verify the prepared scaffolds potential for wound dressing applications.