Phyto-Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles: A Hypericum perforatum-Mediated Approach for Topical Wound Healing Gels

Abstract

The current study was aimed at the comparative preparation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using chemical and green methods with the ethanolic extract of Hypericum perforatum and inclusion in a topical gel (Carbopol) to assess their efficiency in the treatment of infected wounds. The methodology consisted of: characterization of the particles by using (UV-Vis, FTIR, SEM, DLS), evaluation of the antibacterial activity, physical properties of the gel and its dermal safety, as well as biological evaluation (in vivo) in a model of albino rats with linear wounds infected with Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, using morphological measurements, infrared thermography and bacterial cultures. The results showed the superiority of the green synthesis nanoparticles (P. NPs) in antibacterial activity as the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values were recorded compared to the chemical nanoparticles and the crude extract. In animal studies, the gel group containing green nanoparticles showed the highest wound closure rate (91.80%), no detectable bacterial growth by day 6, and thermal convergence (ΔT = +0.10°C). The results of this study showed that the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles by H. perforatum showed promising antibacterial and wound healing activity with short term dermal tolerability.