Wound healing properties of modified silver nanoparticles and their distribution in mouse organs after topical application

Colloidal silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) as synthesized and modified with oligonucleotides (Oligo-AgNPs) are comparatively evaluated for their wound healing properties on animal models. The healing progress was monitored daily during nine days by measuring the wound diameter. The tissue samples from the healed regions were analyzed for epithelial damage, congestion, inflammatory cell infiltration, fibroblast proliferation, and new collagen synthesis. The AgNPs and Oligo-AgNPs had statically significant impact on the healing process compared to control. The histological analysis revealed that the AgNPs and Oligo-AgNPs improved the congestion, inflammatory cell infiltration, fibroblast proliferation and new collagen synthesis as compared to control. Although the fibroblast proliferation seems to be the same for both AgNPs and Oligo-AgNPs, the collagen synthesis is markedly improved with the Oligo-AgNPs. The atomic spectroscopy analysis of the samples from different tissues showed that the AgNPs applied topically to the skin does not pass through the other organs. Our data suggest that topical application of AgNP-Oligos improve wound healing by promoting increased collagen synthesis and tissue re-modeling without any side effects.