Plant-based wound dressing delivers antibiotics to fight infections

Plant-based wound dressing delivers antibiotics to fight infections

Engineers have developed a pioneering wound dressing made from renewable plant materials designed to deliver antibiotics directly to injuries during the critical early stages of infection. The development, led by researchers at the University of Bath in collaboration with Newcastle University and the University of Bristol, utilizes sustainable polymers to target bacteria before they can establish a protective stronghold.

The study, published in Bioactive Materials, represents the first time a family of sustainable furan-based polymers—materials previously investigated for use in sustainable packaging and plastics—has been adapted for infection-fighting wound care. Unlike many advanced dressings that rely on chemical treatments or petroleum-based plastics, this version is constructed from two plant-based layers with distinct properties.

The technology addresses the rapid formation of biofilms. According to the researchers, bacteria can enter a wound and create a protective, slimy layer known as a biofilm within hours. This layer slows the healing process and makes infections significantly harder to treat because the body struggles to fight back and medications have difficulty penetrating the film to kill the bacteria.

To counter this, the two-sided dressing is engineered to intervene in the early window before the biofilm grows. One side of the dressing consists of two types of plant-based polymer spun into a thin mesh of microscopic fibers. The side facing the wound incorporates tetracycline, a commonly used antibiotic, which the dressing releases to reach effective concentrations within four hours. This rapid delivery reduces biofilm formation by over 90%.

The opposite side of the dressing serves as a water-repellent barrier. This layer is designed to moderate moisture loss, maintain a protected healing environment, and prevent the antibiotic from leaking away from the injury site.

"The two materials we used are very similar chemically; they differ by only two carbon atoms, but by spinning them into ultra-fine fibres, we can amplify these tiny molecular differences into dramatically different behaviours."

Dr Xiang Ding, lead author, via bath.ac.uk

Dr Ding added that the antibiotic release provides a barrier to protect the wound, allowing for a "smart" dressing that requires no additional chemical modification.

The financial burden of wound infections is a primary driver for the research. Researchers noted that these infections are estimated to cost the NHS billions of pounds every year. Dr Hannah Leese of the University of Bath stated that wound infections are very costly and can affect the day-to-day lives of patients while delaying their healing.

"We want to try to prevent that from forming as quickly as possible so we can ensure the wound can heal as effectively as possible."

Prof Leese, University of Bath, via yahoo.com

In laboratory tests using model wounds, the team tested the dressing against two common bacteria that infect wounds: Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. The results showed a significant reduction in both bacterial growth and biofilm formation. Additionally, laboratory testing indicated the material is compatible with human skin cells and showed no signs of toxicity.

The project received technical guidance and assistance from the University of Bath’s Central Research Facility, including contributions from Diana Lednitzky and Dr Philip Fletcher. Co-author Michael Zachariadis, an Instrument Specialist in the CRF, provided substantial contributions to the confocal research underpinning the study.

While the findings demonstrate that sustainable materials can be used in healthcare without compromising performance, the researchers added that further testing and development are required before the dressing can be used in a clinical setting.