Optimization of electrospun CQDs-Fe3O4-RE loaded PVA-cellulose nanofibrils via central composite design for wound dressing applications: Kinetics and in vitro release study

Abstract

Wound skin infections can cause significant morbidity and even mortality. Cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) are a type of nano cellulose that have reached notable attention due to their inimitable properties. In this study, in order to prepare a novel wound dressing, CNFs are composited with poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) to enhance mechanical properties and increase cell proliferation and migration. Also, carbon quantum dots (CQDs)- Fe3O4 was introduced as a novel antibacterial, and rosemary extract (RE) was composited with this to reduce its cell toxicity. PVA - CNFs/ CQDs- Fe3O4- RE nanofiber was prepared using the electrospinning method. Then, to maximize tensile strength, total elongation, and percentage swelling of PVA - CNFs/ CQDs- Fe3O4- RE electrospun nanofiber, parameters of crosslinking duration and the concentration of CQDs- Fe3O4-RE were optimized employing central composite design, and optimized electrospun nanofiber (OEN) as a novel wound dressing was prepared. Results exhibited, the high antibacterial properties of CQDs-Fe3O4-RE. Also, CNFs and CQDs- Fe3O4-RE increased the tensile strength of OEN. Moreover, CNFs and RE reduce wound area percentages and increase the percentage of cell viability, respectively. Therefore, OEN was introduced as a suitable wound dressing due to its appropriate surface roughness, mechanical properties, WVTR, biodegradation, prolonged release, non-toxicity, and high cell proliferation and migration ability.