Stretchable and biocompatible bovine serum albumin fibrous films supported silver for accelerated bacteria-infected wound healing

Abstract Antibacterial wound dressings with high flexibility and biocompatibility are attracting increasing attention, especially for applications on flexible body parts such as joints. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) fibrous films were integrated with glycerol to acquire suitable mechanical properties, after the decoration of silver, the as-synthesized G-BSA-Ag films combined the antibacterial properties of silver, the biocompatibility of BSA and the wettability of glycerol, being a promising candidate for bacteria-infected wound dressing. The G-BSA-Ag films exhibited good extensibility (elongation at break > 210 % for G-BSA-Ag22), transmittance (> 60 % at 600 nm for G-BSA-Ag22) and appropriate swelling ability, maintaining a moist and visible healing environment to promote wound healing. The in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility analysis of G-BSA-Ag films confirmed their non-hemolysis, durable antibacterial properties, non-cytotoxicity, and promotion to cell migration. Furthermore, the G-BSA-Ag films were applied on a S. aureus-infected mouse wound model, showing accelerated healing rate with reduced inflammatory factor levels, proving their good therapeutic effects on wound healing, and demonstrating good potential in clinical applications.