Zinc-based metal organic framework loaded-electrospun PVA/PEO/l-arginine nanofibers as efficient antimicrobial scaffolds for burn skin wound healing

Abstract

Burns represent a significant health challenge, causing extensive skin damage and necessitating advanced wound care strategies. This study explores the development of electrospun NFs composed of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/polyethylene oxide (PEO)/L-arginine (L-Arg) with a ratio of ca. (4 : 1 : 0.5), with/without loading zinc-based metal–organic frameworks (Zn-MOF). The synthesized Zn-MOF and the composite nanofiber were fully examined by FT-IR, XRD, SEM, and EDX analyses. Meanwhile, the incorporation effect of PEO into the PVA NFs enhanced the mechanical strength of the nanofibers, while the incorporation of Zn-MOFs enhanced the antimicrobial activity of the nanofibers. Antimicrobial testing demonstrated significant broad-spectrum efficacy vs. Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus), Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae), and yeast, e.g. Candida albicans, with the highest inhibition zones observed particularly with loading 10% Zn-MOF into the formulations. In vivo evaluation using a rat burn model revealed significantly accelerated wound healing, enhanced epidermal regeneration, increased wound contraction percentage, and elevated vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in the Zn-MOF-treated groups. Histopathological analysis confirmed superior tissue regeneration and reduced inflammation, particularly for nanofibers containing high Zn-MOF concentrations. These findings indicate that Zn-MOF-loaded PVA/PEO/L-Arg nanofibers are promising candidates for the effective treatment of burn wounds, offering both antimicrobial protection and improved tissue healing.