Silk fibroin/collagen 3D scaffolds loaded with TiO2 nanoparticles for skin tissue regeneration

One of the biggest present challenges for clinicians is to regenerate the skin tissues which are lost due to trauma or diseases. Although the autografts are considered as the gold standard, yet they have their own limitations. However, a proper biocompatible, flexible, and mechanically stable, moisture retentive, and permeable synthetic membrane could be used instead of autografts. Silk fibroin (SF) is a protein based mechanically strong, biocompatible, biodegradable, and permeable material which has been used in wide range of applications like cosmetics, foods, drugs, tissue engineering, and wound healing. Similarly, collagen (CG) is biocompatible and biodegradable protein-based natural polymer. TiO 2 particles have antibacterial properties. Keeping in mind the properties of these materials, we designed SF/CG membranes loaded with TiO 2 particles for skin tissue regeneration using freeze drying technique. Starting with degumming of silk from B. mori , SF was extracted and regenerated which was used for further studies. The membranes were fabricated in two series; in first series concentration of TiO 2 was optimized only in silk; in second series SF/CG/TiO 2 membranes were fabricated with two different concentrations of CG. Membranes were characterized by FTIR and SEM. For the biological use of as-prepared membranes, swelling and degradation studies in H 2 O 2 and lysozyme were carried out. Antibacterial studies were carried out on S. aureus and E. coli. To check the biocompatibility and cell toxicity, Alamar Blue Assay was performed. Attachment of cell with scaffolds was studied with Cell Attachment Assay and photos of cell attachment were recorded with SEM. Overall, the membranes showed good antibacterial activity and biocompatibility. On the basis of these results, the fabricated membranes are potential candidates for skin tissue regeneration and wound healing application. Graphic abstract