Research Outputs

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http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11837/3244

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Browsing Research Outputs by Author "Alven, Sibusiso"

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    Efficacy of co‑loading Ag nanoparticles and metronidazole in PEG–gelatin‑based sponges for the treatment of chronic wounds
    (Springer, 2023-08-07) Alven, Sibusiso; Adeyemi, S.A.; Ubanako, Philemon; Nditheh, D.T.; Choonara, Yahya Essop; Aderibigbe, Blessing A.
    Polymer-based sponges loaded with antibacterial agents are potential wound dressings ideal for treating bacteria-infected wounds. Gelatin/poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG) sponge-based wound dressings loaded with metronidazole and Ag nanoparticles with different degrees of cross-linking were prepared, and their capability to treat infected wounds in vitro was evaluated. The degree of cross-linking of the sponges varied, and the porosity of the sponges was in the range of 15.64–91.10%. The amount of gelatin used to prepare the sponges influenced the porosity of the sponges. The sponges displayed an initial burst drug release of metronidazole followed by a sustained release profile. The sponges exhibited considerable antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The % cell viability of the sponges was in the range of 71.17–86.10%, indicating distinguished biocompatibility. The in-vitro experiment showed that the sponge loaded with metronidazole, SAM2%, displayed a significant reduction of 66.68% in the scratch area compared to the sponge loaded with a combination of silver nanoparticles and metronidazole with a closure rate of 46.61% at 96 h. The promising features of the sponges indicate that they are potential wound dressings for treating infected wounds.
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    Electrospun Nanofibers/Nanofibrous Scaffolds Loaded with Silver Nanoparticles as Effective Antibacterial Wound Dressing Materials
    (MDPI, 2021-06-26) Alven, Sibusiso; Buyana, Buhle ; Feketshane, Zizo ; Aderibigbe, Blessing Atim
    The treatment of wounds is expensive and challenging. Most of the available wound dressings are not effective and suffer from limitations such as poor antimicrobial activity, toxicity, inability to provide suitable moisture to the wound and poor mechanical performance. The use of inappropriate wound dressings can result in a delayed wound healing process. Nanosize range scaffolds have triggered great attention because of their attractive properties, which include their capability to deliver bioactive agents, high surface area, improved mechanical properties, mimic the extracellular matrix (ECM), and high porosity. Nanofibrous materials can be further encapsulated/loaded with metal-based nanoparticles to enhance their therapeutic outcomes in wound healing applications. The widely studied metal-based nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles exhibit good properties such as outstanding antibacterial activity, display antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, support cell growth, making it an essential bioactive agent in wound dressings. This review article reports the biological (in vivo and in vitro) and mechanical outcomes of nanofibrous scaffolds loaded with silver nanoparticles on wound healing
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    Hyaluronic Acid-Based Scaffolds as Potential Bioactive Wound Dressings
    (MDPI, 2021-06-26) Alven, Sibusiso; Aderibigbe, Blessing A
    The negative factors that result in delayed and prolonged wound healing process include microbial pathogens, excess wound exudates, underlying conditions, smoking, obesity, etc. Most of the currently used wound dressings demonstrate an inadequate capacity to treat wounds resulting from the factors mentioned above. The commonly used wound dressings include hydrogels, films, hydrocolloids, foams, fibers, sponges, dermal patches, bandages, etc. These wound dressings can be loaded with various types of bioactive agents (e.g., antibiotics, nanoparticles, anti-inflammatory drugs, etc.) to improve their therapeutic outcomes. Biopolymers offer interesting properties suitable for the design of wound dressings. This review article will be based on hyaluronic-acid-based scaffolds loaded with therapeutic agents for the treatment of wounds.