Abstract
The similarities of electrospun fibers with the skin extracellular matrix (ECM) make them promising structures for advanced wound dressings. Moreover, infection and resistance in wounds are a major health concern that may be reduced with antibacterial wound dressings. In this work, a multifunctional wound dressing was developed based on gelatin/chitosan hybrid fibers dopped with phlorotannin-enrich extract from the seaweed Undaria pinnatifida. The intrinsic electrospun structure properties combined with the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of phlorotannin-enrich extract will enhance the wound healing process. Electrospun meshes were produced by incorporating 1 or 2 wt% of extract, and the structure without extract was used as a control. Physico-chemical, mechanical, and biological properties were evaluated for all conditions. Results demonstrated that all developed samples presented a homogenous fiber deposition with the average diameters closer to the native ECM fibrils, and high porosities (~90%) that will be crucial to control the wound moist environment. According to the tensile test assays, the incorporation of phlorotannin-enriched extract enhances the elastic performance of the samples. Additionally, the extract incorporation made the structure stable over time since its in vitro degradation rates decreased under enzymatic medium. Extract release profile demonstrated a longstanding delivery (up to 160 days), reaching a maximum value of ~98% over time. Moreover, the preliminary antimicrobial results confirm the mesh’s antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. In terms of biological characterization, no condition presented cytotoxicity effects on hDNF cells, allowing their adhesion and proliferation over 14 days, except the condition of 2 wt% after 7 days. Overall, the electrospun structure comprising phlorotannins-enriched extract is a promising bioactive structure with potential to be used as a drug delivery system for skin regeneration by reducing the bacterial infection in the wound bed.
Highlights
Produced meshes morphology must achieve some requirements suchcells as high porosity and interconnectivity to was evaluated
The results demonstrate that without extract (WOE) meshes containing gelatin/chitosan had a much higher resistance to stress, likely due to the ionic interaction between gelatin and chitosan, which allows the integrity of electrospun fibers
The introduction of the phlorotannins-enriched extract seems to reduce the average fiber diameters ranging from 388 ± 82 nm for WOE, 302 ± 83 nm for WE1, to 229 ± 43 nm WE2
Summary
Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ 4.0/).Skin is the major organ of the human body comprising vital functions namely the protection of internal tissues against external hazards [1]. Accordingly, when this barrier is compromised either by physical, chemical, or thermal injuries, it leads to wound development and consequent risks [2]. Currently, wounds are a burden for health care systems, presenting several typologies, ranging from acute surgical wounds, traumatic wounds, burn wounds, or chronic wounds (long-period healing), which require different treatments and multidisciplinary teams in health care facilities [2,3]. Associated with some
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
