Cytotoxicity of the Hydrogel Formulations
Cytotoxicity of XµM[AgNPs-PVP]-18%[P407] with Ag concentration
ranging from 0 µM to 100 µM was evaluated using human dermal fibroblast
(hFBs), a common cell line used to assess cytotoxicity of topical
formulations. All formulations of XµM[AgNPs-PVP]-18%[P407]
showed negligible cytotoxicity (Figure 7A), indicating excellent
biocompatibility. The cell viability results were further quantified by
counting live cell numbers using ImageJ, demonstrating
>90% viability for all hydrogel formulations tested.
Cytotoxicity was markedly improved for
50µM[AgNPs-PVP]-18%[P407] and
100µM[AgNPs-PVP]-18%[P407] compared to the aqueous solutions of
50 µM and 100 µM AgNPs-PVP (Figure 5C). This phenomenon could be
attributed to the sustained release and thus controlled dosing of
AgNPs-PVP from the hydrogel formulations, effectively reducing the
concentration of AgNPs-PVP to which hFBs cells were exposed. The
formulations of 50 µM and 100 µM[AgNPs-PVP]-18%[P407] were
selected for further assessment of in vitro release studies given their
excellent biocompatibility.