Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) hydrogel and silver nanoparticle-loaded PVP hydrogel (PVP–AgNPs) have been investigated as potential wound dressing materials. In this study, their wound-healing effects were compared with those of a conventional non-adherent dressing in a rat full-thickness excisional wound model. Fifteen male Wistar rats were assigned to three groups: control dressing, PVP hydrogel, and PVP–AgNP hydrogel. Wound area was measured on postoperative days 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14, and histological evaluation was performed on day 14. The PVP–AgNP hydrogel showed in vitro antibacterial activity against the tested bacterial strains, whereas PVP hydrogel alone had no detectable antibacterial effect. By day 14, complete wound closure and re-epithelialization were observed in all groups. No statistically significant differences were found among groups in wound area, granulation of tissue thickness, or neovascularization. However, the PVP–AgNP group showed a non-significant numerical trend toward higher neovascularization compared with the PVP hydrogel and conventional dressing groups. Overall, both PVP and PVP–AgNP hydrogels were biocompatible and supported wound closure and day-14 histological repair comparable to conventional dressing. Although PVP–AgNP hydrogel did not demonstrate significant superiority, its antibacterial activity and favorable histological trend suggest that it may serve as an alternative wound dressing when antimicrobial properties are needed. Further studies with larger sample sizes, longer follow-up periods, and infected-wound models are required to confirm its therapeutic value.

To Cite This Article: Brikshavana P, Tharasanit T and Kaewamatawong T, 2026. The effect of polyvinylpyrrolidone hydrogel with silver nanoparticles on wound healing in rats. Pak Vet J, 46(7): 1743-1751. http://dx.doi.org/10.29261/pakvetj/2026.167