Abstract
The present study aimed to synthesize Ag₂CO₃ and Ag/Ag₂CO₃ nanostructures and to systematically investigate their physicochemical characteristics, biocompatibility, metabolic effects, wound healing potential, antioxidant activity, and antibacterial efficacy. Both nanostructures were synthesized using a controlled chemical reduction method. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the crystalline Ag₂CO₃ phase and the successful incorporation of metallic silver in the Ag/Ag₂CO₃ composite, while zeta potential analysis revealed enhanced colloidal stability for Ag/Ag₂CO₃ (approximately - 38 mV) compared with Ag₂CO₃ (approximately - 28 mV). Biocompatibility and safety evaluation in non-diabetic mice, including complete blood count, liver and renal function tests, and lipid profiling, demonstrated that both nanostructures were well tolerated at the administered doses without evidence of severe toxicity. In alloxan-induced diabetic mice, treatment with Ag₂CO₃ and Ag/Ag₂CO₃ resulted in significant glucose-lowering effects from Day 7 onward. Serum insulin, triiodothyronine (T3), and thyroxine (T4) levels were significantly improved at Days 14 and 28 compared with diabetic controls. Antioxidant assessment after 28 days showed reduced malondialdehyde levels and enhanced activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and reduced glutathione. In a diabetic excision wound model with an initial wound area of 1.2 cm2, complete wound healing occurred by Day 19 in diabetic controls, Day 17 in Ag₂CO₃-treated mice, and Day 14 in Ag/Ag₂CO₃-treated mice. Additionally, both nanostructures exhibited concentration-dependent antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, with Ag/Ag₂CO₃ producing inhibition zones of up to approximately 17 mm at 100 µg/mL. Overall, Ag/Ag₂CO₃ nanostructures demonstrated superior multifunctional biomedical performance.