Electrospun poly (ɛ-caprolactone)/gelatin nanofibrous mats with local delivery of vitamin C for wound healing applications

Abstract

Electrospun nanofibers, as candidates for wound dressing, exhibit desirable physical, mechanical, bioactive, antibacterial, and drug-loading properties, making them for tissue engineering applications. In this study, we successfully fabricated hybrid polycaprolactone (PC)/gelatin (Gel) (PCG) electrospun mats loaded with vitamin C (Vit C) (PCG-Vit C) using the electrospinning method. We employed scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to investigate the morphology, fiber diameter, and pore size, while Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was utilized to analyze the chemical bonding in the electrospun mats. Furthermore, we assessed the prepared samples' mechanical properties, in vitro biodegradation, swelling behavior, in vitro drug release profile, antibacterial activity, biocompatibility, and bioactivity. Our morphological studies confirmed that the nanofibers displayed a smooth, well-random distribution and were free from bead-like structures. FTIR results supported the successful incorporation of Vit C into PCG mats. The mechanical analysis revealed that although the addition of Vit C reduced the tensile strength, it still significantly improved to over 1.1 MPa compared to pure Gel. In vitro degradation and water uptake tests across varying pH levels demonstrated favorable properties for PCG-Vit C. The in vitro Vit C release profile indicated approximately 60% release within 24 hours under pH of 5.5 and 7.4. Furthermore, Vit C's presence directly influenced PCG mats' antibacterial activity and biocompatibility, positioning them as promising candidates for wound dressing biomaterials. No studies have been shown the pH-responsive Vit C release characteristics of electrospun nanofibrous mats, infused with Vit C within a PCG framework.