Synthesis, characterisation and in vivo wound healing activity of chemogenic sulphur nanoparticles

In spite of long known benefits of elemental sulfur in the history of mankind, limited research studies are available on the therapeutic applications of "nano" forms of sulfur. Herein, chemogenic sulfur nanoparticles (SNP-C) were synthesized through acid catalysed precipitation. SNP-C was characterised by various microscopic and spectroscopic techniques such as PXRD, SEM, TEM and Raman spectroscopy. Further, SNP-C's wound healing property and antimicrobial efficacy are investigated. Ointment formulations with 2% (w/w) SNP-C exhibited enhanced wound healing activity compared to control group and was comparable to that of standard group. Higher wound contraction rate, breaking strength, and granulation tissue weight were observed in the SNP-C test groups compared to the control group in all the wound models analyzed. Further, chemogenic sulfur nanoparticles showed enhanced antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and significant antifungal activity against the all tested fungal strains.