Facile preparation of novel antioxidant fibrous material based on natural plant extract from Portulaca oleracea and polylactide by electrospinning for biomedical applications

Abstract

AbstractFor the first time, fibrous polylactide (PLA) materials containing plant extract of Portulaca oleracea obtained using supercritical carbon dioxide were successfully prepared by electrospinning. The effect of the extract concentration on the morphology and properties of the obtained materials was studied. P. oleracea extracts of 0–7.5 wt% in 10 wt% PLA solutions were electrospun. The optimal process conditions for the preparation of defect‐free fibers were found. The newly obtained fibrous materials were fully characterized using scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, X‐ray diffraction analysis and water contact angle measurements. It was found that the incorporation of the crude extract had a significant effect on the average fiber diameter, thermal characteristics and structure of the obtained materials. Moreover, it was found that the electrospun PLA/P. oleracea materials showed high antioxidant activity. The cytocompatibility of fibrous mats was assessed and it was found that the materials loaded with P. oleracea enhanced the cell viability of mouse BALB/c‐3T3 fibroblasts. Thus the obtained novel materials could be a potential candidate for tissue regeneration and wound healing applications. © 2021 Society of Industrial Chemistry.