Evaluation of chitosan impregnated with silver nanoparticles in the treatment of chronic venous leg ulcer: An open-label controlled study

• Main Authors: Maha A Elgayyar, Ahmed Abdelmoneim, Khalid Mowafy, Moustafa A Elsaied, Mqdad Hasan Faqe, Mohammad Ali Gaballah
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2019-01-01
• Series: Clinical Dermatology Review
• Subjects: chitosan; nanoparticles; silver; venous ulcer
• Online Access: http://www.cdriadvlkn.org/article.asp?issn=2542-551X;year=2019;volume=3;issue=1;spage=84;epage=88;aulast=Elgayyar
• ISSN: 2542-551X; 2542-5528

Background: The treatment of chronic venous leg ulcer (CVLU) is a major challenge. Much scientific advancement was made. Chitosan, derived from N-deacetylation of chitin, has been successfully used to promote wound healing. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are used as bactericides. The aim of this work is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of chitosan alone or that impregnated with AgNPs compared to traditional compression bandage dressing in the treatment of CVLU. Materials and Methods: Thirty-eight CVLU patients completed the treatment for 3 months. They were treated with compression bandage and categorized into three groups: Group A included 12 patients used chitosan impregnated with the AgNPs, Group B included 11 patients used chitosan alone, and Group C included 15 patients used compression bandage alone. For all patients, routine investigations, lower limbs Duplex ultrasound and bacterial culture and sensitivity from the ulcers before and after treatment were done. Results: The healing of ulcers in the treated groups was mostly apparent in Groups A and C. Conclusions: Chitosan impregnated with AgNPs can be a hopeful treatment for CVLU. However, compression bandage alone is also effective for the treatment of CVLU.