Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticle/Gelatin: A Potential Burn Wound Healing Biomaterial.

INTRODUCTION: Over the past few decades, the application of nanotechnology has gained progressive interest for the regeneration of injured and burned tissues. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the effects of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticle (NP)/gelatin on burn wound healing in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty healthy male BALB/c mice with a full-thickness burn wound were randomized into 4 experimental groups of 15 animals each: (1) control group was treated with normal saline; (2) gelatin group was treated with gelatin-based ointment; (3) silver sulfadiazine group was treated with silver sulfadiazine 1% ointment; and (4) TiO₂ NP/gelatin group (TNG) received TiO₂ NP/gelatin. Wound size was measured on postoperative days 2, 6, 10, 14, 18, and 21, and histopathological studies of tissue samples were performed on postop days 7, 14, and 21. RESULTS: The wound area reduction indicated that there was a significant difference between the TNG and other groups (P < .05). Quantitative histological and morphometric studies and the mean rank gained from the qualitative studies demonstrated that there was a significant difference between the TNG and other groups (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, TNG offered potential advantages in burn wound healing acceleration and improvement through angiogenesis stimulation, fibroblast proliferation, and granulation tissue formation in the early phases of healing. In addition, factors such as accelerated wound repair associated with earlier wound contraction and stability of the damaged area by rearrangement of granulation tissue and collagen fibers were also advantages of TNG.