Dendrimer encapsulation enhances anti-inflammatory efficacy of silver nanoparticles in burn wound

Abstract

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Our previous studies revealed that silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) promoted wound healing in part through their anti-inflammatory actions. As recent reports also suggested anti-inflammatory effects of dendrimers, we therefore undertook this study using dendrimers as the delivery system for AgNP to explore any potential synergistic anti-inflammatory efficacy. METHODS: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was added to cultured RAW264.7 and J774.1 cells to mimic in vitro inflammation condition, followed by the addition of either silver dendrimer nanocomposite (Ag-DNC), AgNPs or derdrimer. The levels of inflammatory markers TNF-alpha and interleukin-6 were assessed using ELISA assay. Furthermore, in vivo effects such of Ag-DNC, AgNPs or dendrimer were studied in a burn wound model in mice. RESULTS: Our results confirmed that although both naked dendrimer and AgNPs had anti-inflammatory properties, Ag-DNC was shown to have the best anti-inflammatory efficacy than AgNPs or dendrimer alone in in-vitro studies. In-vivo experiments also indicated that animals in the Ag-DNC group had the fastest healing time with the least inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: Our study would suggest that dendrimer could provide additional anti-inflammatory benefits and might be an excellent delivery system for silver nanoparticles for future clinical application.