Fabrication of Acorn-Loaded Chitosan/Gelatin Nanofibrous Web to Increase Antibacterial Activity for Wound-Healing Applications

A biocompatible nanofibrous scaffold incorporated with the antibacterial extract of medicinal plant has a synergic effect on the process of wound healing, which is due to its high surface area to volume ratio and mimicking the natural extracellular matrix (ECM) of nanofibrous structure, in addition to lower side effects and antibiotic resistance. Here, biocompatible nanofibers of (chitosan:gelatin)/poly(vinyl alcohol)(PVA) were prepared through electrospinning with acorn extract as a natural cross-linker and antibacterial agent for wound-healing applications. The morphology of nanofibers containing various amounts of acorn extract [0.5%, 1%, and 1.5% (w/v)] was investigated by SEM images. The chemical composition of nanofibers was investigated by FTIR spectra. The tensile testing demonstrated the enhancement of mechanical properties of nanofibrous webs (up to 118% tensile stress, 117% young modulus, and 77% strain at break) by adding acorn extract. The degradation rate and the acorn release rate of cross-linked nanofibers decreased by increasing acorn concentration acting as a natural cross-linker. The release mechanism of cross-linked nanofibers was non-Fickian diffusion for 0.5% acorn loading and Fickian diffusion for 1% and 1.5% acorn loading. The acorn-loaded nanofibers showed a 90% antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus bacterium by quantitative standard test method (AATCC 100). Furthermore, the MTT assay showed excellent cell viability and cell attachment of nanofibers for mouse fibroblast (L929) cells. The results indicated that (chitosan:gelatin)/PVA nanofibrous scaffold incorporated with acorn extract was a potent candidate for tissue engineering applications.