Synergistic effect of glucagon-like peptide-1 analogue liraglutide and ZnO on the antibacterial, hemostatic, and wound healing properties of nanofibrous dressings.

Bacterial infections and poor vascularization delay wound healing, thus necessitating alternative strategies for functional wound dressings. Zinc oxide (ZnO) has been shown to exert a potent antibacterial effect against bacterial species. Similarly, Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue liraglutide (LG) has been shown to promote vascularization and improve wound healing. The objective of this research was to investigate the synergistic effect of ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) and LG to simultaneously induce antibacterial, hemostatic, and vascularization effects for infected wound healing. Electrospun poly (l -lactide-co-glycolide)/gelatin (PLGA/Gel) membranes containing ZnO-NPs and LG displayed good biocompatibility and hemostatic ability. Both, ZnO-NPs and LG exhibited synergistic antibacterial effect against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli as well as improved the migration and tubule-like network formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in vitro. Once evaluated in a bacterial-infected wound model in rats, the membranes loaded with ZnO-NPs and LG effectively promoted wound healing causing significant reduction in wound area and scar-like tissue formation. Therefore, ZnO-NPs/LG synergism may offer an invaluable solution for the treatment of poorly healing infected wounds. [Display omitted] • Bacterial infected diabetic wounds are difficult to be healed, which require alternative solutions for their timely healing. • Functional dressings, which may simultaneously prevent bacterial infection and promote vascularization hold great promise. • Zinc oxide and Liraglutide synergistically improved hemostatic and antibacterial properties as well as the hemocompatibility. • Zinc oxide and Liraglutide containing dressings also promoted wound closure in vitro and in vivo and tube formation in vitro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]