Abstract: Objective · To investigate the effects of a novel chitosan-silver nitrate gel (CSNG) dressing on anti-septic in wound healing.  Methods · By using the ion membrane, the release rate of the new composite materials of silver ion was tested in vitro. Meanwhile, the anti-septic effects of CSNG on methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Escherichia coli and Candida albicans were tested by colony counting. The rat wound healing model was used to detect the ability of new material to kill MRSA in vivo.  Results · Compared with control group, the release of silver ions of CSNG was much slower. Sterilization experiment showed that CSNG killed the MRSA, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans much more efficiently, compared to that in the other treatments. Animal experiments also showed that CSNG promoted the rats of wound healing.  Conclusion · Combining chitosan with silver nitrate and supplementary material could develop a novel chitosan-silver nitrate gel material, which not only has the obvious effects on antibacterial, but also on promoting wound healing.

Key words: chitosan, silver nitrate, antibacterial, wound healing