Poly (caprolactone)/sodium-alginate-functionalized halloysite clay nanotube nanocomposites: Potent biocompatible materials for wound healing applications

Abstract

In this study, halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) were subjected to surface functionalization using sodium alginate and incorporated into poly(caprolactone) (PCL) to fabricate nanocomposites for potential wound healing applications. The nanocomposite films were fabricated through the solution casting technique and characterized using various instrumental methods. The films exhibited enhanced thermal and mechanical properties. FE-SEM and AFM analyses confirmed the uniform dispersion of the HNTs and increased roughness of the films, respectively. The swelling properties, in-vitro enzymatic degradation, and anti-inflammatory activity of the films were also analyzed. The MTT assay performed using NIH3T3 cell lines revealed enhanced cell proliferation (126 ± 1.38) of 5 wt% film. Besides, the cell adhesion tests of the films revealed their cytocompatibility. The scratch assay tests conducted for observing the effectiveness of the films for wound closure showed that the 5 wt% film offered a higher rate of fibroblast cell migration (32.24 ± 0.49) than the pristine PCL film. The HRBCMS assay demonstrated the hemocompatibility of these films. The biological test results indicated the delayed enzymatic degradability and haemocompatiblity of nanocomposites with enhanced cell adhesion, cell proliferation, and cell migration capabilities with respect to fibroblast cells. In summary, the synthesized nanocomposite films can be effectively used in wound healing applications after further clinical trials.