Electrospun core-shell polycaprolactone/ chitosan nanofibrous composite with enhanced curcumin loading capacity for wound healing applications

Abstract

Skin treatment complexity and expense in accidents such as burns, lacerations, and illnesses represent a significant concern. The demand for nanofibers possessing a high biocompatible matrix and the ability to carry drugs to improve wound healing is highly regarded. In this investigation, electrospun nanofibers were fabricated utilizing a 17 % (w/v) polycaprolactone (PCL) core and a 2 % (w/v) chitosan (CS) shell, encompassing varying concentrations of curcumin (CUR, 10 μM, 25 μM, and 50 μM), and their structural, physicochemical, mechanical, and in vitro characteristics of the prepared samples were thoroughly examined. A TEM image indicated the mean thickness of the core and shell in the drug-loaded sample to be approximately 60 nm and 170 nm, respectively. Smooth nanofibers with a bead-free shape structure were also discernible through SEM evaluation, with a porosity of 84.27 ± 5.32 % for the PCL/CS/CUR25μM sample. Moreover, the addition of CUR exhibited tensile properties within the range of the skin's mechanical characteristics, along with suitable wettability (40.80 ± 2.99°), water absorption (858.82 ± 79.06 %), and degradation rate (25.76 ± 4.90 %). The drug release profile of CUR exhibited a consistent release rate of 57.0 ± 3.9 % during the initial phase over a 24-h period. The seeded L929 cells' behavior on the scaffolds was assessed using the MTT assay and FESEM microimages. The PCL/CS/CUR25μM showed no cytotoxic effect on the seeded cells, and they exhibited appropriate adherence to the scaffolds. Therefore, the electrospun core-shell PCL/CS/CUR25μM nanofibrous composite has the potential to function as an appropriate membrane for wound healing applications.