Antibacterial and wound healing performance of a novel electrospun nanofibers based on polymethyl-methacrylate/gelatin impregnated with different content of propolis

Abstract

Wound management and care mainly relies on the production of new and effective wound dressing materials. Chronic wounds require protection against pathogens and bacterial infection. Therefore, it is very important to design wound dressings with antibacterial and restorative capabilities. In this research, polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA) and gelatin (Gel) nanofibers (NFs) were produced in different ratios by electrospinning method. Propolis (Pro) as a wound healing drug was added to the optimal PMMA70/Gel30 parent scaffold at different concentrations (10, 30 and 50 %w/v). Physical and chemical characterization, porosity, degradation, water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), swelling, mechanical properties and contact angle of the mats were analyzed. The NFs presented a homogeneous and defect-free morphology. The PMMA70/Gel30 mats showed the lowest average diameter (362.1 ± 132.3 nm) among the scaffolds. In addition, the highest wettability (∼70°) and WVTR (∼250 g/m2 × 24h) are related to PMMA70/Gel30. The addition of Pro extract (up to 50%) increased the mean diameter of NF (571.1 ± 171.8 nm). None of the scaffolds showed toxicity in the environment. The optimal PMMA/Gel/Pro50% NF showed more adhesion and higher cell viability than other samples. The antioxidant activity of PMMA/Gel/Pro50% is more about 10 times compared to PMMA70/Gel30. Pro extract showed significant antibacterial activity in the scaffolds, so that the release of Pro (∼70% in 24hrs) in the PMMA/Gel/Pro50% caused the inhibition of S. aureus (9 mm) and E. coli (11 mm) bacteria in Mueller's culture medium. All these findings confirm that the produced NF mats, especially those loaded with Pro, have a high potential to be used as an effective wound dressing.