Injectable methylcellulose hydrogel containing silver oxide nanoparticles for burn wound healing

A thermo-sensitive methylcellulose (MC) hydrogel containing silver oxide nanoparticles (NPs) was prepared via one-pot synthesis in which a silver acetate precursor salt (CH₃COOAg) induces a salt-out effect in the MC solution. The silver oxide NPs were synthesized in situ from Ag⁺ ions during the MC hydrogelation, and the residual CH₃COO⁻ ions decreased the gelation temperature of the MC solution through the salt-out effect. The gelation behavior of the MC solution varied according to the CH₃COOAg content and was monitored. Also, the formation and structure of the silver oxide NPs in the MC hydrogel was confirmed. From the results, silver oxide NPs was successfully incorporated in MC hydrogels, simultaneously, acetate ion which was counter ion of Ag was affected gelation behavior of Ag. Finally, the antimicrobial activity and wound healing effect was examined using the shaking flask method and burn wound test, respectively. The MC hydrogel with silver oxide NPs showed excellent antimicrobial activity and burn wound healing. Therefore, this thermo-responsive MC hydrogel has great potential as an injectable hydrogel for wound regeneration.