Flavonoids, phenolics, and tannins loaded polycaprolactone nanofibers (NF) for wound dressing applications

Abstract

Triphala is one of the commonly used ayurvedic formulations for gastrointestinal disorders. In Ayurveda, Triphala water has been used to wash wounds as an antimicrobial agent for wound healing. In this study, the wound healing property of Triphala was further enhanced by mixing equal proportions of medicinal plants like Acacia catechu, Glycyrrhiza glabra Azadirachta indica, and Coscinium fenestratum. The polyherbal extract was prepared from the new polyherbal formulation using a methanol-chloroform solvent mixture and analysed for its quality and quantity of phytochemicals. Then, the polyherbal extract at 1%, 3%, and 5% concentration was mixed with 10% polycaprolactone (PCL) polymer and converted into poly-herbal extract-loaded nanofibers using an electrospinning technique. The prepared nanofibers were characterized by FTIR, XRD, FESEM, contact angle, and water absorption. Further, the biological properties like antimicrobial activity and biocompatibility were also analysed. Finally, the in-vivo wound healing efficiency was studied using an animal model. The FTIR analysis reveals the presence of unique phytochemicals of plant extracts. Further, the FESEM confirms the presence of the drug on the surface of nanofibers. From the XRD, the reduction in crystallinity was observed due to herbal drug incorporation. Further, contact angle, water absorption also proved the absorbing ability of polyherbal-loaded nanofibers. The polycaprolactone-polyherbal (PCL-PHF) formulation of 3% and 5% loaded nanofibers shows faster wound healing compared to the control and standard. In addition, the polyherbal drug-loaded polycaprolactone shows faster granulation tissue formation and collagen synthesis compared to the standard group. The antioxidant property of the patch protects the wound from lipid peroxides and myeloperoxidase. Overall, the antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory property of polyherbal extract aids in faster wound healing. This finding suggests that the polyherbal drug-loaded polycaprolactone nanofibrous mats could be used as an effective candidate for the treatment of open wounds.