Tailoring biodegradable elctrospun membrane for the potential treatment of periodontics: In vitro and in vivo evaluations

Abstract

Polycaprolactone/Gelatin core-shell membranes were coaxially electrospun in different weight % to obtain dental membranes towards the treatment of Periodontics. Scanning electron microscopy study of the membranes indicated porous fibrous structure without any beads. GSNO was successfully synthesized and incorporated into the core of the resulted co-electrospun Polycaprolactone/Gelatin membrane imparting antibacterial property to the membrane. Chemical characteristics of the membranes were evaluated by FT-IR spectroscopy. In-vitro degradation studies conducted on the membrane showed a decrease in mass post 1 month followed by slow degradation for the next 2 months. By the end of the 3 months, the membranes began to tear off indicating non requirement of a surgical procedure to remove the membrane. Antibacterial property of the membrane was analysed using the disk diffusion method and showed a zone of inhibition of 0.7 cm as compared to the control membrane and the same was confirmed by the live dead assay. In vivo animal experimentations were conducted to prove the biocompatibility of the dental membrane. Skin irritation test conducted in rabbits show that the membrane does not cause hypersensitivity. Acute toxicity study conducted in rats followed by the histology analysis show that the internal organs are not affected by the membrane. Histology analysis of the tissue after subcutaneous implantation in rat model also showed no abnormal tissue reaction. Hence the membrane is found to be safe.