Sol-gel processed mupirocin silica microspheres loaded collagen scaffold: a synergistic bio-composite for wound healing.

Development of a bio-composite using synergistic combination is a promising strategy to address various pathological manifestations of acute and chronic wounds. In the present work, we have combined three materials viz., mupirocin as an antimicrobial drug, sol-gel processed silica microsphere as drug carrier for sustained delivery of drug and collagen, an established wound healer as scaffold. The mupirocin-loaded silica microspheres (Mu-SM) and Mu-SM loaded collagen scaffold were characterized for surface morphology, entrapment efficiency and distribution homogeneity, in vitro drug release, water uptake capacity, cell proliferation and antibacterial activity. In vivo wound healing efficacy of the bio-composite was experimented using full thickness excision wound model in Wistar albino rats. The Mu-SM incorporated collagen scaffold showed good in vitro characteristics in terms of better water uptake, sustained drug availability and antimicrobial activity. The wound closure analysis revealed that the complete epithelialisation was observed at 14.2 ± 0.44 days for Mu-SM loaded collagen, whereas this was 17.4 ± 0.44 days and 20.6 ± 0.54 days for collagen and control groups, respectively. Consequently, the synergistic strategy of combining mupirocin-loaded silica microspheres and collagen as a Mu-SM loaded collagen dressing material would be an ideal biomaterial for the treatment of surface wounds, burns and foot ulcers.