Arctium minus (Hill) Bernh. extract-loaded polycaprolactone and bilayer polycaprolactone/polyvinyl alcohol electrospun nanofiber scaffolds as bioactive wound dressings.

Abstract

Objective: It was aimed to formulate blank and Arctium minus extract-loaded Polycaprolactone (PCL) and bilayer Polycaprolactone/Polyvinyl alcohol (PCL/PVA) electrospun herbal nanofiber scaffolds as bioactive wound dressings.

Methods: Electrospinning was used to produce nanofiber scaffolds and characterization studies of nanofibers (morphology, diameter) and the scaffolds(release, encapsulation efficiency, cytotoxicity, cell adhesion and proliferation, in-vitro wound healing, antioxidant activity) were carried out. MTT assay was used to determine the cytotoxicity of the fiber scaffolds on L929 mouse fibroblast cell line. Cell adhesion and proliferation were determined by imaging the cells seeded on scaffolds with scanning electron microscopy and fluorescent microscope. Wound healing assay was performed by creating an artificial wound (gap) to simulate the wound in the cell environment. The antioxidant efficacy of the extract produced from the scaffolds was assessed using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH●) and 2,2-Azino-bis3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid(ABTS●+) assays.

Results: All nanofibers were smooth and bead-free in the diameter range of 877.9-1257.9 nm, and had favorable encapsulation efficiency (91.9-97.5%), suitable in-vitro release. While the viability was between 71.4-73.6% in blank scaffolds, it increased up to 94.8-99.8% in extract-loaded scaffolds. However, all scaffolds can be used safely. All scaffolds (except blank PCL) provided a suitable environment for cell adhesion and proliferation. Both extract-loaded fiber scaffolds accelerated wound healing by improving cell migration. The amount of extract released was increased through formulation, demonstrating a strong capacity to scavenge DPPH● and ABTS●+ radicals.

Conclusion: In conclusion, Arctium minus extract-loaded PCL and PCL/PVA lead to significant enhancement in viability, adhesion, proliferation and in-vitro wound healing, indicating that they can be used as effective and safe wound dressings.