Enhancing Wound Care: Piper nigrum in Collagen Dressings

Piper nigrum extract integrated into collagen wound dressings offers a targeted antimicrobial adjunct for infected and chronic wounds, reducing microbial burden while preserving material biocompatibility.

In a laboratory evaluation, investigators combined antimicrobial assays, antibiotic‑synergy testing, cytotoxicity assessment on skin cells, and detailed collagen‑matrix characterization to assess the functionalized material containing Piper nigrum (black pepper) extract. The study demonstrated antimicrobial activity across tested pathogens, quantitative evidence of antibiotic interaction, no cytotoxicity in keratinocytes, and preserved collagen integrity under moderate loading—together forming a translational proof‑of‑concept for topical wound applications.

The extract inhibited common wound pathogens, including Gram‑positive organisms such as methicillin‑resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Gram‑negative organisms such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, with a predominantly bacteriostatic profile and measurable MIC/MBEC values in the mid‑to‑high assay range. Potency was strain‑dependent and generally stronger against staphylococci than against most Gram‑negatives, mirroring the variability seen in clinical wound microbiology and supporting relevance to the polymicrobial milieu of chronic wounds.

The extract showed a synergistic interaction with cefazolin at moderate concentrations, a finding that could lower the required local antibiotic dose and align with stewardship‑oriented topical strategies. Collagen matrices retained mechanical integrity and handling characteristics at low‑to‑moderate loadings, and cytotoxicity testing revealed no adverse effects on keratinocytes or other tested skin cells, indicating a favorable preclinical safety profile and feasibility for topical use.