Zinc oxide nanoparticles accelerate the healing of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)-infected wounds in rabbits

Objective: To synthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) and evaluate their antibacterial and wound healing effects against wounds infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Methods: ZnONPs were prepared by sol-gel method and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A total of 18 rabbits were divided into three groups: the ZnONPs group, the gentamicin group and the control group. A wound of 3 cm(2) was inflicted on each rabbit and contaminated with MRSA inoculum. Treatment was started from the fourth day post-surgery. Wound healing, microbiological analysis, and histopathological analysis were performed to assess the efficacy of ZnONPs ointment. Results: XRD analysis confirmed the hexagonal wurtzite structure of the ZnONPs with an average crystallite size of 29.23 nm. SEM revealed discoid-shaped ZnONPs with a rough surface and an average size of 48.36 nm. Energy-dispersive X-ray analysis confirmed the purity of ZnONPs. Moreover, the particle size ranged from 100-700 nm with a high agglomeration trend. Treatment with ZnONPs promoted MRSA-infected wound healing. In addition, ZnONPs showed a good antibacterial effect as evidenced by a dose-dependent increase in the zone of inhibition. Conclusions: ZnONPs accelerate the healing of MRSA-infected wounds. Therefore, it can be explored for the treatment of MRSA infection.