PCL Membranes Research Articles

Development and characterization of nitazoxanide-loaded poly(ε-caprolactone) membrane for GTR/GBR applications

ObjectiveGuided tissue/guided bone regeneration (GTR/GBR) membranes are widely used for periodontal bone regeneration, but their success depends on a bacteria-free environment. Systemic antibiotic treatment often proves inadequate, moreover, the increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistance in oral infections exacerbates this challenge. This study aimed to fabricate antibacterial membranes using a new class of antibiotics for local drug delivery, to eradicate infections and promote tissue regeneration. MethodsMembranes loaded with nitazoxanide (NTZ) were fabricated via electrospinning using poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) with varying concentrations of NTZ (0 %, 2.5 %, and 5 % w/w) relative to the polymer weight. Morphochemical of NTZ-loaded membranes were assessed using scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Mechanical properties were evaluated using universal testing machine and NTZ release profile from membranes was determined by spectrophotometer (λmax = 444) for 14 days. Antimicrobial efficacy against periodontal pathogens, cell compatibility and mineralization were evaluated using periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs). ResultsOptimized spinning parameter maintained a uniform fiber diameter and successful loading of NTZ was confirmed by SEM-EDS and FTIR. NTZ incorporation did not significantly affect mechanical properties, whereas the drug release kinetics showed an initial burst, followed by sustained release over 14 days. NTZ-loaded membranes demonstrated antibacterial activity against Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) and Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn). Importantly, the presence of NTZ showed minimal cell toxicity; however, it reduced the mineralization potential compared with that of the pure PCL membrane, which increased over time. SignificanceTaken together, these findings established that NTZ-loaded membranes could be promising barrier membrane to counteract microbial environment and aid periodontal bone regeneration.

Functional poly(e-caprolactone)/SerMA hybrid dressings with dimethyloxalylglycine-releasing property improve cutaneous wound healing

Medical dressings with multifunctional properties, including potent regeneration capability and good biocompatibility, are increasingly needed in clinical practice. In this study, we reported a novel hybrid wound dressing (PCL/SerMA/DMOG) that combines electrospun PCL membranes with DMOG-loaded methacrylated sericin (SerMA) hydrogel. In such a design, DMOG molecules are released from the hybrid dressing in a sustained mannerin vitro. A series ofin vitroassays demonstrated that DMOG-loaded hybrid dressing has multiple biological functions, including promotion of human umbilical vein endothelial cells proliferation and migration,in vitrovascularization, and the generation of intracellular NO. When applied to the cutaneous wound, the PCL/SerMA/DMOG dressing significantly accelerated wound closure and tissue regeneration by promoting angiogenesis in the wound area, collagen deposition, and cell proliferation within the wound bed. These results highlight the potential clinical application of PCL/SerMA/DMOG hybrid dressings as promising alternatives for accelerating wound healing via improved biocompatibility and angiogenesis amelioration.

3D-printed porous titanium rods equipped with vancomycin-loaded hydrogels and polycaprolactone membranes for intelligent antibacterial drug release

Implant-related infections pose significant challenges to orthopedic surgeries due to the high risk of severe complications. The widespread use of bioactive prostheses in joint replacements, featuring roughened surfaces and tight integration with the bone marrow cavity, has facilitated bacterial proliferation and complicated treatment. Developing antibacterial coatings for orthopedic implants has been a key research focus in recent years to address this critical issue. Researchers have designed coatings using various materials and antibacterial strategies. In this study, we fabricated 3D-printed porous titanium rods, incorporated vancomycin-loaded mPEG750-b-PCL2500 gel, and coated them with a PCL layer. We then evaluated the antibacterial efficacy through both in vitro and in vivo experiments. Our coating passively inhibits bacterial biofilm formation and actively controls antibiotic release in response to bacterial growth, providing a practical solution for proactive and sustained infection control. This study utilized 3D printing technology to produce porous titanium rod implants simulating bioactive joint prostheses. The porous structure of the titanium rods was used to load a thermoresponsive gel, mPEG750-b-PCL2500 (PEG: polyethylene glycol; PCL: polycaprolactone), serving as a novel drug delivery system carrying vancomycin for controlled antibiotic release. The assembly was then covered with a PCL membrane that inhibits bacterial biofilm formation early in infection and degrades when exposed to lipase solutions, mimicking enzymatic activity during bacterial infections. This setup provides infection-responsive protection and promotes drug release. We investigated the coating’s controlled release, antibacterial capability, and biocompatibility through in vitro experiments. We established a Staphylococcus aureus infection model in rabbits, implanting titanium rods in the femoral medullary cavity. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of the composite coating in preventing implant-related infections using imaging, hematology, and pathology. In vitro experiments demonstrated that the PCL membrane stably protects encapsulated vancomycin during PBS immersion. The PCL membrane rapidly degraded at a lipase concentration of 0.2 mg/mL. The mPEG750-b-PCL2500 gel ensured stable and sustained vancomycin release, inhibiting bacterial growth. We investigated the antibacterial effect of the 3D-printed titanium material, coated with PCL and loaded with mPEG750-b-PCL2500 hydrogel, using a rabbit Staphylococcus aureus infection model. Imaging, hematology, and histopathology confirmed that our composite antibacterial coating exhibited excellent antibacterial effects and infection prevention, with good safety in trials. Our results indicate that the composite antibacterial coating effectively protects vancomycin in the hydrogel from premature release in the absence of bacterial infection. The outer PCL membrane inhibits bacterial growth and prevents biofilm formation. Upon contact with bacterial lipase, the PCL membrane rapidly degrades, releasing vancomycin for antibacterial action. The mPEG750-b-PCL2500 gel provides stable and sustained vancomycin release, prolonging its antibacterial effects. Our composite antibacterial coating demonstrates promising potential for clinical application.

Synergistic nanocoating with layer-by-layer functionalized PCL membranes enhanced by manuka honey and essential oils for advanced wound healing

Chronic wounds represent a significant global health concern, statistically impacting 1–2% of the population in developed countries throughout their lifetimes. These wounds cause considerable discomfort for patients and necessitate substantial expenditures of time and resources for treatment. Among the emerging therapeutic approaches, medicated dressings incorporating bioactive molecules, including natural compounds, are particularly promising. Hence, the objective of this study was to develop novel antimicrobial dressings for wound treatment. Specifically, polycaprolactone membranes were manufactured using the electrospinning technique and subsequently coated with natural polyelectrolytes (chitosan as a polycation and a mixture of manuka honey with essential oils nanoemulsions as a polyanion) employing the Layer-by-Layer assembly technique. Physico-chemical and morphological characterization was conducted through QCM-D, FTIR-ATR, XPS, and SEM analyses. The results from SEM and QCM-D demonstrated successful layer deposition and coating formation. Furthermore, FTIR-ATR and XPS analyses distinguished among different coating compositions. The coated membranes were tested in the presence of fibroblast cells, demonstrating biocompatibility and expression of genes coding for VEGF, COL1, and TGF-β1, which are associated with the healing process (assessed through RT-qPCR analysis). Finally, the membranes exhibited excellent antibacterial activity against both Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, with higher bacterial strain inhibition observed when cinnamon essential oil nanoemulsion was incorporated. Taken together, these results demonstrate the potential application of nanocoated membranes for biomedical applications, such as wound healing.

Reservoir-type intranasal implants for sustained release of risperidone: A potential alternative for long-term treatment of schizophrenia

To overcome the challenges of the blood-brain barrier for drug delivery to the central nervous system (CNS), intranasal implants were developed to improve the management of CNS conditions, such as schizophrenia. In the present work, we developed and characterised a drug-containing implant consisting of two parts: a core layer made from risperidone (RIS) and water-soluble polymers, including poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), and a coating layer made of poly(caprolactone) (PCL) membrane. The obtained implants, where the core layer contained 75 % w/w risperidone, were characterised using several techniques: scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR). Moreover, the in vitro release profile of RIS was studied, showing that the PCL membrane could extend the release of RIS from 2 days up to 100 days. The in vitro release profile of the PCL-coated implant exhibited a linear release over the first 10 days, followed by a slower release rate that reached another linear phase up to 40 days. Subsequently, the drug release rates progressively slowed down. Finally, the results of in vitro biocompatibility studies indicated that the intranasal implants were biocompatible and non-cytotoxic. These findings suggest that the implants prepared in this work have the potential to provide long-acting drug delivery for targeting the brain.

Electrospun poly(ɛ‐caprolactone) membranes modified with heparin and essential fatty acids for biomedical applications

AbstractThis study aimed to modify poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) membranes with sodium heparin (SH) and essential fatty acids (EFA) for later application in wound healing. The electrospinning technique was used to prepare the membranes containing the maximum concentration of SH and EFA, which were then sterilized with ozone. Microbiological tests confirmed effective sterilization. The membrane characterization included scanning electron microscopy for morphological analysis, contact angle determination for wettability studies, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) analysis, and thermogravimetry for thermal analysis. Results indicated that the average diameter membrane of PCL, PCL + SH, and PCL + EFA nanofibers was 1.16 ± 0.99 μm, 0.98 ± 0.66 μm and 1.53 ± 0.92 μm, respectively. Adding SH and EFA affected the fiber diameter, with PCL + SH fibers having a smaller diameter than pure PCL and PCL + EFA fibers. The contact angle of the membrane is 123° (PCL), 102° (PCL + SH), and 95° (PCL + EFA). Wettability analysis demonstrated modified surface properties with reduced contact angles. Sterilization of PCL membranes modified with SH and EFA has shown effectiveness in eliminating bacteria and other microorganisms, increasing the permeability of the membranes. Morphological analysis showed well‐formed and randomly distributed fibers, although the PCL + SH membrane exhibited beads on its fibers. FT‐IR analysis showed slight contributions of SH and EFA in the modified PCL membranes, while thermal analysis revealed no substantial changes in thermal stability. In conclusion, PCL membranes modified with SH and EFA can potentially accelerate wound healing, presenting an innovative and cost‐effective approach to treating skin injuries.

Safety assessment of poly-ε-caprolactone in the treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax.

Biomaterial-based implants are gaining traction as an option for pleurodesis treatment, yet the search for the best biomaterial or the most suitable shape to handle spontaneous pneumothorax continues. This forward-looking research assessed the use of a poly-ε-caprolactone membrane for its safety when applied as a sclerosant in pleurodesis procedures in human patients. From July 2017 to February 2018, we conducted a Phase I trial in which 10 patients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax were treated using video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery with a poly-ε-caprolactone membrane. These procedures encompassed bleb resection and mechanical pleurodesis through parietal pleura scrubbing. After resection, a 150 × 150 mm poly-ε-caprolactone membrane was applied to the apex. The primary outcome measures were the adverse events and laboratory outcomes. After surgery, we observed no cardiopulmonary-related adverse events or indications of systemic inflammation. Furthermore, no episodes of hypothermia or hyperthermia occurred. Chest radiographs showed no evident pneumonitis or effusion associated with tissue reactions. The average follow-up duration was 31.7 ± 17.7 months, during which two patients exhibited recurrence. This study is the first to show the biocompatibility of poly-ε-caprolactone in humans, suggesting its potential as a treatment option for patients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax. Despite the relatively small number of patients, we maintain confidence in the reliability and safety profile of the PCL membrane, bolstered by its previously established efficacy in applications involving other organs. Phase II and phase III clinical studies are needed to support these observations.

Dual Mg-Reinforced PCL Membrane with a Janus Structure for Vascularized Bone Regeneration and Bacterial Elimination.

Commercially available guided bone regeneration (GBR) membranes often exhibit limited mechanical properties or bioactivity, leading to poor performance in repairing bone defects. To surmount this limitation, we developed a Janus structural composite membrane (Mg-MgO/PCL) reinforced by dual Mg (Mg sheets and MgO NPs) by using a combined processing technique involving casting and electrospinning. Results showed that the addition of Mg sheets and MgO NPs enhanced the mechanical properties of the composite membrane for osteogenic space maintenance, specifically tensile strength (from 10.2 ± 1.2 to 50.3 ± 4.5 MPa) and compression force (from 0 to 0.94 ± 0.09 N mm-1), through Mg sheet reinforcement and improved crystallization. The dense cast side of the Janus structure membrane displayed better fibroblast barrier capacity than a single fiber structure; meanwhile, the PCL matrix protected the Mg sheet from severe corrosion due to predeformation. The porous microfibers side supported preosteoblast cell adhesion, enhanced osteogenesis, and angiogenesis in vitro, through the biomimetic extracellular matrix and sustainable Mg2+ release. Furthermore, the Mg-MgO/PCL membrane incorporating 2 wt % MgO NPs exhibited remarkable antimicrobial properties, inducing over 88.75% apoptosis in Staphylococcus aureus. An in vivo experiment using the rat skull defect model (Φ = 5 mm) confirmed that the Mg-MgO/PCL membrane significantly improved new bone formation postsurgery. Collectively, our investigation provides valuable insights into the design of multifunctional membranes for clinical oral GBR application.

Multilayer amnion-PCL nanofibrous membrane loaded with celecoxib exerts a therapeutic effect against tendon adhesion by improving the inflammatory microenvironment

Tendon adhesion is a common complication after tendon surgery. The inflammatory phase of tendon healing is characterized by the release of a large number of inflammatory factors, whose mediated excessive inflammatory response is an important cause of tendon adhesion formation. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs) were used to prevent tendon adhesions by reducing the inflammatory response. However, recent studies have shown that the NSAIDs partially impairs tendon healing. Therefore, optimizing the anti-adhesive membrane loaded with NSAIDs to mitigate the effects on tendon healing requires further in-depth study. Amniotic membranes(AM) are natural polymeric semi-permeable membranes from living organisms that are rich in matrix, growth factors, and other active ingredients. In this study, we used electrostatic spinning technology to construct multifunctional nanofiber membranes of the PCL membrane loaded with celecoxib and AM. In vitro cellular assays revealed that celecoxib-loaded PCL membranes significantly inhibited the adhesion and proliferation of fibroblasts with increasing concentrations of celecoxib. In a rabbit tendon repair model, biomechanical tests further confirmed that the PCL membrane loaded with celecoxib had better anti-adhesion effects. Further experimental studies revealed that the PCL/AM membrane improved the inflammatory microenvironment by downregulating the expression of pro-inflammatory factors such as COX-2, IL-1β, and TNF-α proteins; and inhibiting the synthesis of COL I and COL Ⅲ. The PCL/AM membrane can continuously release celecoxib to reduce the inflammatory response and deliver growth factors to the damaged area to build a suitable microenvironment for tendon repair, which provides a new direction to improve the repair efficiency of tendon.

Electrospun poly (ε-caprolactone)/beeswax based super-hydrophobic anti-adhesive nanofibers as physical barriers for impeding fibroblasts invasion.

Super-hydrophobic electrospun membranes are very essential barrier materials to physically isolate the wound site in order to prevent adhesions and for restoring the normal functioning of the surrounding tissues and organs. In the present study, poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL)/beeswax (BW) based nanofibrous anti-adhesion membranes were fabricated by electrospinning technique. The BW concentration was varied from 10 to 30 wt.%. The nanofibers were evaluated for their morphological and physio-chemical properties. The electrospun mats demonstrate random distribution of nanofibers. Surface wettability was evaluated using static water contact angle method. PCL/BW (70/30) membrane had shown super-hydrophobicity (contact angle = 150°). From the cell culture studies, it was evident that cell viability, adhesion and proliferation of L929 cells on PCL/BW (70/30) membrane were comparatively lower than those on pure PCL membrane due to its super-hydrophobic nature. Consequently, PCL/BW (70/30) membrane was found as a potential candidate for fibroblast (L929) cell anti-adhesion applications.

Sustainable Integration of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles: Enhancing Properties of Poly(ε-Caprolactone) Electrospun Nanofibers and Cast Films

This study investigated the impact of adding zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) to electrospun membranes and cast films made of poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL). The physicochemical, mechanical, and morphological properties of the samples were analyzed. Physicochemical parameters included water contact angle (WCA), water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), permeance, water vapor permeability (WVP), light transmission (T600), and transparency (T). Mechanical properties, such as maximum stress (Ϭmax), elongation (εmax), and Young’s modulus (MPa), were also evaluated. Morphological properties were analyzed in terms of thickness, dispersion, and surface roughness (measured by the arithmetic (Ra) and quadratic (Rq) averages). The crystallinity and melting point, as well as the functional DPPH• scavenging percentage (SP%), were also studied. The results showed that adding 1 wt% ZnO-NPs improved the water barrier properties of PCL membranes and films, increasing WCA by 1%–6% and decreasing WVTR by 11%–19%, permeance by 34%–20%, and WVP by 4%–11%, respectively. The T600 values of PCL/ZnO-NPs membranes and films were 2–3 times lower than those of neat PCL samples, indicating improved optical properties. The mechanical properties of the composite membranes and films also improved, with Ϭmax increasing by 56%–32% and Young’s modulus increasing by 91%–95%, while εmax decreased by 79%–57%. The incorporation of ZnO-NPs also increased the thickness and surface roughness of the samples. The SP% of PCL/ZnO-NPs increased by almost 69%, demonstrating the beneficial effects of ZnO-NPs on the system. These findings suggest that incorporating ZnO-NPs into PCL membranes and films can enhance their properties, making them well suited for various applications, such as those within the realm of materials science and nanotechnology.

Sustainable Nanomagnetism: Investigating the Influence of Green Synthesis and pH on Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Enhanced Biomedical Applications.

This study comprehensively analyzed green nanomagnetic iron oxide particles (GNMIOPs) synthesized using a green method, investigating their size, shape, crystallinity, aggregation, phase portions, stability, and magnetism. The influence of pH and washing solvents on the magnetic properties of the nanoparticles and their incorporation into PCL membranes was examined for biomedical applications. Polyphenols were utilized at different pH values (1.2, 7.5, and 12.5), with washing being performed using either ethanol or water. Characterization techniques, including XRD, SEM, TEM, FTIR, and VSM, were employed, along with evaluations of stability, magnetic properties, and antioxidant activity. The findings indicate that both pH levels and the washing process exert a substantial influence on several properties of NMIOPs. The particle sizes ranged from 6.6 to 23.5 nm, with the smallest size being observed for GNMIOPs prepared at pH 12.5. Higher pH values led to increased crystallinity, cubic Fe3O4 fractions, and reduced crystalline anisotropy. SEM and TEM analyses showed pH-dependent morphological variations, with increased aggregation being observed at lower pH values. GNMIOPs displayed exceptional magnetic behavior, with the highest saturation magnetization being observed in GNMIOPs prepared at pH 7.5 and 12.5 and subsequently washed with ethanol. The zeta potential measurements indicated a stability range for GNMIOPs spanning from -31.8 to -41.6 mV, while GNMIOPs synthesized under high-pH conditions demonstrated noteworthy antioxidant activity. Furthermore, it was explored how pH and washing solvent affected the morphology, roughness, and magnetic properties of GNMIOP-infused nanofiber membranes. SEM showed irregularities and roughness due to GNMIOPs, varying with pH and washing solvent. TEM confirmed better dispersion with ethanol washing. The magnetic response was stronger with ethanol-washed GNMIOPs, highlighting the influence of pH and washing solvent on membrane characteristics.

Study on the Osteogenic Differentiation of hUCMSCs in Silk Fibroin/Polycaprolactone Membrane Under the Intervention of Photobiomodulation

Fractures, as the most common traumatic injuries, were a significant health problem worldwide. Presently, the application of tissue engineering in the treatment of bone defects has received massive attention. Herein, we verified that photobiomodulation (PBM) could accelerate the osteogenic differentiation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) on the silk fibroin/polycaprolactone (SF/PCL) membrane, providing a new insight into tissue engineering. HUCMSCs were divided into non-irradiated group and experimental groups. The laser of 635 and 808 nm were emerged in this study. The output energy density and power density of the laser were settled as 1-12 J/cm² and 10, 20 and 40 mW/cm², respectively. Dexamethasone acted as an inducer for osteogenic differentiation. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was detected by ALP detection kit. Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), ALP and osteocalcin (OCN) gene expressions were determined by RT-PCR. Cytokines bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2), collagen-1 (COL-1) and OCN were measured by ELISA. It was demonstrated that PBM efficiently promoted the proliferation and differentiation of hUCMSCs. When hUCMSCs were inoculated on SF/PCL membrane and treated with PBM, the activity of ALP significantly increased, and the expression levels of osteogenic-related genes Runx2, ALP, OCN and osteogenic related cytokines such as BMP-2, Col-1 and OCN all presented massive increasing with dose-dependent. Notably, the effect of PBM in promoting osteogenic differentiation would also be inhibited when the energy density exceeded the threshold.

Solid-state blending for the preparation of porous eco-friendly PCL membranes: Potential for filtration applications

Cryomilling is a promising method for fabricating polymeric blend and composite powder raw materials for various subsequent manufacturing processes. In this study, biodegradable porous membranes were fabricated from poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL) using the cryomilling/hot pressing/porogen leaching approach. Powder mixtures of six different model compositions were compounded by cryomilling; thereafter, films were fabricated by hot-pressing. Poly (ethylene-oxide) (PEO) and salt were utilized as eco-friendly porogens in these mixtures, which were dissolved in water to introduce porosity in the films. Wood sawdust (WSD) and alum were investigated as fillers potentially capable of manipulating the hydrophilicity, mechanical and antimicrobial properties of the membranes. The morphological, hydrophilicity, mechanical, and filtration efficiency properties were explored and compared to those of commercial laboratory microfiltration (MF) membranes. SEM analysis revealed dense membrane skins for all compositions, along with lamellar porous structures. Mean pore radius ranged from 0.15 to 0.21 μm, which is within the MF pore size range. Water contact angle measurements averaged 70° and decreased with the addition of WSD and alum, indicating increased hydrophilicity. Tensile test results showed a decrease in mechanical properties, with higher porosities and with the addition of WSD. Adding alum (≥10 wt%) resulted in embrittled membranes. Filtration performance was evaluated in terms of pure water flux and turbidity reduction for textile wastewater, and it compared favorably to commercial membranes. In conclusion, this study has successfully introduced a new facile and versatile membrane fabrication approach.

Comparison between Morphological and Mechanical Properties of Membranes Produced via Coaxial and Monoaxial Electrospinning

AbstractThe production of nanofibrous membranes finds high interest in the biomedical field, from drug delivery to wound dressing. The types of polymers used for these applications are mainly synthetic and natural biopolymers that have different properties, especially in terms of bioactivity, adhesion to cells, and mechanical properties. In the current study, two different processes, namely uniaxial electrospinning and coaxial electrospinning configuration are used to produce nanofibrous membranes based on PCL (synthetic biopolymer) and gelatin (natural biopolymer). The mechanical properties of the coaxial and blend systems have been compared to the ones of PCL and gelatin membranes.Coaxial electrospun systems have mechanical properties between those of gelatin and those of PCL membranes. This phenomenon is probably due to a well‐defined interface between the two polymers in the core‐shell configuration. In blend configurations, the intimate contact between the two polymers enhances the flexibility of the material. In fact, an increase in the strain at the break of 350% is obtained compared to the PCL (80%) and gelatin (3%) membrane. These results highlight how the electrospinning process configuration affects the range of applicability of these types of devices.

Electrospun Polycaprolactone/Chitosan Nanofibers Containing Cordia myxa Fruit Extract as Potential Biocompatible Antibacterial Wound Dressings.

The goal of the current work was to create an antibacterial agent by using polycaprolactone/chitosan (PCL/CH) nanofibers loaded with Cordia myxa fruit extract (CMFE) as an antimicrobial agent for wound dressing. Several characteristics, including morphological, physicomechanical, and mechanical characteristics, surface wettability, antibacterial activity, cell viability, and in vitro drug release, were investigated. The inclusion of CMFE in PCL/CH led to increased swelling capability and maximum weight loss. The SEM images of the PCL/CH/CMFE mat showed a uniform topology free of beads and an average fiber diameter of 195.378 nm. Excellent antimicrobial activity was shown towards Escherichia coli (31.34 ± 0.42 mm), Salmonella enterica (30.27 ± 0.57 mm), Staphylococcus aureus (21.31 ± 0.17 mm), Bacillus subtilis (27.53 ± 1.53 mm), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (22.17 ± 0.12 mm) based on the inhibition zone assay. The sample containing 5 wt% CMFE had a lower water contact angle (47 ± 3.7°), high porosity, and high swelling compared to the neat mat. The release of the 5% CMFE-loaded mat was proven to be based on anomalous non-Fickian diffusion using the Korsmeyer-Peppas model. Compared to the pure PCL membrane, the PCL-CH/CMFE membrane exhibited suitable cytocompatibility on L929 cells. In conclusion, the fabricated antimicrobial nanofibrous films demonstrated high bioavailability, with suitable properties that can be used in wound dressings.

Biomimetic surface topography as a potential modulator of macrophages inflammatory response to biomaterials

The implantation of biomaterial devices can negatively impact the local microenvironment through several processes including the injury incurred during the implantation process and the associated host inflammatory response. Immune cell responses to implantable biomaterial devices mediate host-material interactions. Indeed, the immune system plays a central role in several biological processes required for the integration of biomaterials such as wound healing, tissue integration, inflammation, and foreign body reactions. The implant physicochemical properties such as size, shape, surface area, topography, and chemistry have been shown to provide cues to the immune system. Its induced immune-modulatory responses towards inflammatory or wound healing phenotypes can determine the success of the implant.In this work, we aim to evaluate the impact of some biomimetic surface topographies on macrophages' acute inflammatory response. For that, we selected 4 different biological surfaces to replicate through soft lithography on spin casting PCL membranes. Those topographies were: the surface of E. coli, S.eppidermidis and L929 cells cultured in polystyrene tissue culture disks, and an Eggshell membrane. We selected a model based on THP-1-derived macrophages to study the analysis of the expression of both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory markers. Our results revealed that depending on the surface where these cells are seeded, they present different phenotypes. Macrophages present a M1-like phenotype when they are cultured on top of PCL membranes with the surface topography of E. coli and S. epidermidis. When cultured on membranes with L929 monolayers or Eggshell membrane surface topography, the macrophages present a M2-like phenotype. These results can be a significant advance in the development of new implantable biomaterial devices since they can help to modulate the inflammatory responses to implanted biomaterials by controlling their surface topography.

Development and characterization of PCL membranes incorporated with Zn-doped bioactive glass produced by electrospinning for osteogenesis evaluation

Development and characterization of PCL membranes incorporated with Zn-doped bioactive glass produced by electrospinning for osteogenesis evaluation

An asymmetric wettable PCL/chitosan composite scaffold loaded with IGF-2 for wound dressing.

An effective dressing is essential for wound healing. In fact, the wettability performance is one of the most important factors of a wound dressing. The fundamental functions of a wound dressing involve the absorption of excess exudates and maintenance of optimal moisture at the wound by controlling water evaporation. Here, we designed a type of chitosan (CS) sponge and PCL nanofibrous membrane composite dressing with asymmetric wettability surfaces as wound healing materials for biomedical applications. The hydrophobic surfaces of the composite dressing were waterproof and could efficiently control the water vapor transmission rate, whereas the hydrophilic surface of the CS sponge had good cytocompatibility and water-absorbing capability. Insulin-like growth factor-2 (IGF-2) was added to the CS sponge, and exhibited a stimulatory effect on fibroblasts migration and proliferation. Therefore, the fabricated CS sponge and PCL membrane composite dressing had excellent cytocompatibility, vapor transmission rate, and liquid absorption and asymmetric wettability, suggesting its potential as a promising alternative to traditional wound dressing.

One-step electrospinning PCL/ph-LPSQ nanofibrous membrane with excellent self-cleaning and oil-water separation performance

The ladder-like phenyl polysilsesquioxane (ph-LPSQ) was synthesized by sol-gel method. Then the Polycaprolactone/ladder-like polysilsesquioxane (PCL/ph-LPSQ) nanofibrous membranes were prepared via one-step electrospinning technique. The addition of ph-LPSQ was proposed to improve the hydrophobic and thermal properties of PCL membranes. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) images showed the PCL/ph-LPSQ composite fibers had porous rough surface structure, which was caused by solvent evaporation induced phase separation, respiration diagram and silicon segment migration. The composition of PCL/ph-LPSQ membranes was characterized by using fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Compared with pristine PCL membranes, the water contact angle and initial degradation temperature for PCL/ph-LPSQ membranes were increased to 158.0° and 355 °C, respectively, from the corresponding 133.6° and 340 °C. The superhydrophobic PCL/ph-LPSQ membranes exhibited excellent self-cleaning, anti-fouling and oil-water separation performance. Driven by gravity alone, the oil-water separation efficiency remained as high as 98% after ten cycles. More importantly, the as-prepared membrane showed good stability in 80 °C, 1 M acid, alkali and salt solutions. Considering the comprehensive properties of PCL/ph-LPSQ membranes, it might be a promising nonwoven fabric material in many fields like textile manufacturing industry. • A facile and ingenious method of preparing super hydrophobic nanofibrous membrane was developed in this paper. • The thermal and hydrophobic properties of the composite membrane were improved with the addition of organo-silicon polymer. • The as-prepared membranes exhibited excellent self-cleaning and oil-water separation performance.