Published Paper Details:

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have emerged as one of the most promising nanomaterials for biomedical applications owing to their remarkable antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and wound-healing properties. However, conventional chemical and physical methods employed for AgNP synthesis often involve hazardous reagents, high energy consumption, and environmental concerns. In recent years, green synthesis has gained considerable attention as a sustainable alternative by utilizing plant-derived phytochemicals as natural reducing and stabilizing agents. Azadirachta indica (Neem), a medicinal plant extensively used in traditional medicine, possesses a rich phytochemical profile comprising flavonoids, phenolic compounds, terpenoids, alkaloids, tannins, proteins, and polysaccharides that facilitate the eco-friendly synthesis of stable silver nanoparticles. The synergistic interaction between neem phytoconstituents and silver nanoparticles enhances their antibacterial efficacy against a broad spectrum of Gram-positive and Gram-negative microorganisms while simultaneously promoting tissue regeneration and accelerating wound healing. Recent advances have demonstrated the successful incorporation of neem-mediated AgNPs into biopolymeric wound dressings, including chitosan-, polyvinyl alcohol-, alginate-, gelatin-, cellulose-, and hydrogel-based matrices, resulting in improved mechanical strength, moisture retention, controlled silver release, biocompatibility, and prolonged antimicrobial activity. This review comprehensively discusses the phytochemical basis of neem-mediated green synthesis, reaction mechanisms involved in nanoparticle formation, factors influencing synthesis efficiency, physicochemical characterization techniques, antibacterial and wound-healing mechanisms, fabrication of antibacterial wound patches, and their physico-mechanical and biological evaluation. Furthermore, recent developments, current challenges, regulatory considerations, toxicity concerns, and future prospects for translating neem-mediated silver nanoparticle-based wound dressings into clinical applications are critically examined. The evidence summarized in this review indicates that neem-mediated AgNP-incorporated wound patches represent an environmentally sustainable, cost-effective, and highly promising strategy for the development of next-generation antimicrobial wound care systems.