Zinc oxide nanoparticles accelerate the healing of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)-infected wounds in rabbits

Abstract

The study was about Zinc oxide nanoparticles accelerate the healing of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)-infected wounds in rabbits. The main objective was to synthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) and evaluate their antibacterial and wound healing effects against wounds infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The methods used were as follows: ZnONPs were prepared using the sol-gel method and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Eighteen rabbits were divided into three groups: the ZnONPs group, the gentamicin group, and the control group. Each rabbit was inflicted with a 3 cm^2 wound contaminated with MRSA inoculum. Treatment commenced on the fourth day post-surgery. Wound healing, microbiological analysis, and histopathological analysis were performed to assess the efficacy of ZnONPs ointment. The results are: XRD analysis confirmed the hexagonal wurtzite structure of the ZnONPs with an average crystallite size of 29.23 nm. SEM revealed discoid-shaped ZnONPs with a rough surface and an average size of 48.36 nm. Energy-dispersive X-ray analysis confirmed the purity of ZnONPs. Moreover, the particle size ranged from 100-700 nm with a high agglomeration trend. Treatment with ZnONPs promoted the healing of MRSA-infected wounds. Additionally, ZnONPs exhibited a good antibacterial effect, as evidenced by a dose-dependent increase in the zone of inhibition.

Conclusions: ZnONPs accelerate the healing of MRSA-infected wounds, suggesting their potential for the treatment of MRSA infection.