Biocompatibility, anti-hemolytic, and antibacterial assessments of electrospun PCL/collagen composite nanofibers loaded with Acanthophora spicifera extracts mediated copper oxide nanoparticles

Abstract

Research in the advancement of wound dressings strives to address specific issues related to infections, speed up the healing process, and enhance patient wellness, all of which will lead to improved wound care procedures. This study investigates the synthesis and characterization of electrospun Polycaprolactone (PCL)/Collagen (Col) nanofibers incorporated with Acanthophora spicifera extracts mediated copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) and to evaluate their biocompatibility, anti-hemolytic properties, and antibacterial efficacy. The synthesized copper oxide nanoparticles were spherical and 58 ± 17 nm in size as evidenced by the field emission scanning electron microscopy. The fiber diameter of PCL, PCL/Col, PCL/Col/CuO 1%, PCL/Col/CuO 2%, and PCL/Col/CuO 5% was found to be 373 ± 141 nm, 281 ± 46 nm, 221 ± 57 nm, 173 ± 40 and 162 ± 47 nm respectively. Contact angle measurements revealed that the addition of copper oxide nanoparticles into Polycaprolactone/Collagen nanofibers resulted in a decrease in water contact angle from 86.9° to 50.8°. The biocompatibility of the composite nanofibers was evaluated in vitro using mouse fibroblast cells. The results established that copper oxide-imbued nanofibers were non-toxic and biocompatible. The hemolytic index for PCL/Col, PCL/Col/CuO 1%, PCL/Col/CuO 2%, and PCL/Col/CuO 5% scaffolds was 0.91 ± 0.14, 0.76 ± 0.14, 1.21 ± 0.19, and 1.52 ± 0.08 % respectively which was below the permissible value. Furthermore, the PCL/Col/CuO 5% nanofibers exhibited bactericidal properties against Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli. These findings suggest the potential applications of copper oxide-infused nanofibers in various biomedical fields, including tissue engineering, antimicrobial coatings, and wound healing.