Title : Sacchachitosan Transdermal Films Immobilized with Silver Nanoparticles for Diabetic Wound Healing

Nanotechnology enables the design of functional materials at the nanoscale, with biodegradable nanoparticles attracting growing interest in nanomedicine to minimize long-term toxicity. In this work, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were biosynthesized using the medicinal mushroom Ganoderma lucidum and characterized by various analytical techniques to confirm their size, morphology and crystalline nature of the particles. Sacchachitosan, a chitosan derivative extracted from the fruiting body of G. lucidum, were then combined with gelatin, glycerol and biosynthesized AgNPs to formulate eco-friendly transdermal films for diabetic wound management.

The films were evaluated for key physical, chemical, and biomedical parameters, including bio-adhesion, oxygen permeability, barrier function against microbial penetration, and drug permeability. The optimized formulations satisfied essential requirements for realistic wound dressings, providing a moist, oxygen-permeable, antimicrobial barrier with suitable mechanical integrity. In vitro (Scratch assay, HET-CAM assay) and in vivo studies (dermal toxicity, skin-irritation tests and diabetic wound-healing experiments) demonstrated good biocompatibility and accelerated wound closure with sacchachitosan-based films compared with controls.

Overall, these findings support the potential of novel sacchachitosan–AgNP transdermal films as biodegradable, mushroom-derived dressings for diabetic wound care and lay the groundwork for future studies on underlying gene and protein expression and clinical translation.

Dr. Sneha Paul is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biotechnology at St. Joseph’s University, Bengaluru. She specializes in nanobiotechnology, wound-care biomaterials, bioplastics, and the bioconversion of agricultural waste. She obtained her Ph.D. in Biotechnology from the University of Madras.

Dr. Paul has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and book chapters, with research focused on the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles, chitosan/sacchachitosan-based transdermal systems, and sustainable bioplastic development. She holds a granted Indian patent titled “Formulation for Promoting Wound Healing” and has recently received institutional funding for her project on bio-nano-sacchachitosan liquid bandages.

Her accolades include the Young Scientist Award, Young Women Scientist Award, Best Poster Award, Best Oral Presentation Award, and prizes in the PSG Nanochallenge competitions.