## 5 Nanoformulations for Wound Healing
### Nanoparticles Loaded with Phytochemicals
#### 5.2.1 Inorganic Nanocarriers
The composite was synthesized through a solution-casting approach incorporating nano zinc oxide (nZnO) within a chitosan-sericin matrix. FTIR spectroscopy verified the integration of characteristic functional groups corresponding to chitosan, sericin, and ZnO nanoparticles. FE-SEM analyses revealed a semi-crystalline structure with an irregular surface topography, and dynamic light scattering confirmed the nanoscale hydrodynamic dimensions of the incorporated ZnO. The prepared CS-SS-nZnO composites exhibited substantial free radical scavenging capabilities, along with pronounced antibacterial activity. Furthermore, hemocompatibility tests indicated minimal erythrocyte lysis (only 1.6%), signifying an excellent biocompatibility with negligible hemolytic potential. In vivo evaluations using animal models demonstrated significant wound closure (96%) within 14 days post-treatment. Histopathological findings further supported the efficacy of the nanocomposite, displaying enhanced tissue regeneration characterized by the restoration of skin architecture, increased collagen deposition, and the regeneration of hair follicles. Collectively, these outcomes position the CS-SS-nZnO nanocomposite as a promising and clinically relevant alternative to conventional wound dressings, offering superior healing, infection control, and safety profiles [105]. Silver nanoparticles are widely utilized either as wound dressings or topically applied products due to their antibacterial activity. Historically, silver-based antimicrobial agents have been utilized extensively to enhance wound recovery. _Iqalans regia_ L. has long been recognized in traditional medicine for its potential in promoting wound healing. Therefore, an interesting study aimed to evaluate the wound-healing efficacy of biologically synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Notably, the bioreduced AgNPs derived from _Iqalans regia_ L. pellicle extract demonstrated a superior particle uniformity. The therapeutic effects of AgNPs, pellicle extract (P), and AgNP/P were evaluated against the standard treatment, SoloseryI(r), using both incision and excision wound models. The parameters assessed included skin-breaking strength, wound contraction, epithelialization duration, histological changes, and cytokine modulation. Both P and its bioreduced nanoparticles exhibited significant wound-healing capabilities. In the incision model, skin tensile strength following AgNP/P treatment closely approximated SoloseryI(r), significantly surpassing chemically synthesized AgNPs. The epithelialization times for AgNP/P and SoloseryI(r) (16.0 and 15.3 days, respectively) showed no significant statistical difference. Furthermore, enhanced collagen deposition was observed, accompanied by distinct cytokine profiles, including reduced interleukin-1\(\upbeta\) and elevated tumor necrosis factor-alpha, reflecting diverse cellular maturation processes consistent with the histopathological findings. These results collectively suggest that bioreducedAgNP/P holds promising potential as an effective pharmaceutical candidate for advanced wound dressings [106]. Additionally, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized using Acer tegmentosum extract were integrated into CS/alginic acid (AL) scaffolds to facilitate the healing of _E. coli_-infected wounds. The synthesized formulation displayed substantial antimicrobial efficacy against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens, alongside an excellent biocompatibility, as shown by a negligible toxicity toward red blood cells, hen's egg chorioallantoic membranes, and non-cancerous NIH3T3 cells. In vivo testing indicated that CS/AL-AgNP treatment markedly improved wound recovery rates by enhancing collagen synthesis and normalizing hematological parameters in _E. coli_-infected wounds. Collectively, the obtained data highlight the therapeutic potential of CS/AL-AgNP scaffolds as an efficient biomedical platform for managing bacterial wound infections [107].