Fabrication and evaluation of antibacterial properties of Cu2O/sepiolite-PVA nanocomposite hydrogels against multidrug-resistant bacteria

Chronic wound infection is a serious healthcare issue across the globe. Herein, the nanocomposite hydrogels comprising cuprous oxide nanoparticles grafted sepiolite (Cu ₂O/Sep) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) were prepared via the freeze-thaw method. The physical, structural, mechanical, and antibacterial properties of the nanocomposite hydrogels were determined. The moisture retention capacities, swelling ratio, equilibrium degree of swelling, and porosity of nanocomposite hydrogels were enhanced with the use of Cu ₂O/Sep. In-vitro release studies demonstrated that the cumulative release of Cu from nanocomposite hydrogels followed the quasi-Fickain-diffusion mechanism. The nanocomposite hydrogels exhibited good percent elongation and ultimate tensile strength under a wet environment due to the presence of Cu ₂O/Sep. The antibacterial properties of the nanocomposite hydrogels were evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae bacterial strains. The bactericidal effects of nanocomposite hydrogels were significantly higher against Gram-positive bacteria than Gram-negative ones. Hence, the nanocomposite hydrogels demonstrate their potential use as a wound dressing material for the treatment of multidrug resistant infected wounds.