Physicochemical and biological characterization of propolis-loaded composite polyamide-6/soybean protein nanofibers for wound healing applications

Abstract

Dressings are pivotal in aiding wound recovery, yet they are burdened by significant constraints. In addition to possessing antibacterial properties, the effectiveness of a wound dressing must be rigorously assessed for its potential utility across diverse medical applications. Propolis (Pro) is widely acknowledged for its antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties, positioning it as a promising candidate for wound healing and tissue engineering applications. This study presents a novel composite nanofiber (NF) material comprising polyamide-6 (PA6) and soybean protein as matrix components, incorporating Pro as a payload. We aimed to mimic the extracellular matrix, thus promotion the proliferation and adhesion of mouse embryonic fibroblast cells (NIH3T3) on the scaffold's surface. The morphology and composition of the NFs, examined through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The Pro-loaded fibers exhibited diameters ranging from 102 to 270 nm. Notably, the NFs demonstrated a dose-dependent increase in porosity, water vapor transmission rate, and fluid uptake capacity. However, the hydrophilic categorized nanofibers (NFs) did not exhibit a concentration-dependent effect on contact angle measurements. After a 15-day period, the Pro-loaded fibers experienced degradation within the range of 39–53 %. Using UV–visible spectrophotometry, the amount of pro released was measured. The rates of release were found to be 29.93 %, 41.02 %, and 60.06 % within 24 h for PA6/Soy/Pro5 %, PA6/Soy/Pro10 %, and PA6/Soy/Pro20 % NFs, respectively. Importantly, our study showcased the significant inhibitory effects of Pro-loaded fibers on the growth of E. coli and S. aureus, with inhibition increasing proportionally with higher Pro concentrations. This observation underscores the potential of Pro-based composite NFs as effective antimicrobial agents for wound dressings and tissue scaffolds. Furthermore, the biocompatibility of the fabricated nanofibrous mats was confirmed through the MTT test, affirming the non-toxic nature of all formulations. SEM imaging further demonstrated the optimal adhesion of cells on the NFs, confirming the findings of the MTT test and highlighting the suitability of Pro-loaded NFs for cell attachment and proliferation.