Starch nanoparticle as a vitamin E-TPGS carrier loaded in silk fibroin-poly(vinyl alcohol)-Aloe vera nanofibrous dressing

[Display omitted] •Vitamin E-loaded starch nanoparticle were successfully incorporated in Silk fibroin-Poly(vinyl alcohol)-Aloe vera nanofiber.•Increasing Aloe vera content reduced the diameter of the electrospun fibers.•Cell attachment, viability and collagen secretion enhanced with Aloe vera and vitamin E.•Vitamin E was more effective in enhancing antioxidant activity than Aloe Vera.•Nanocomposite containing 5 wt% Vitamin E have great potential as a wound dressing. Core-sheath nanofibrous mat as a new vitamin E (VE) delivery system based on silk fibroin (SF)/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/aloe vera (AV) was successfully prepared by the electrospinning method. Initially, VE-loaded starch nanoparticles were produced and then incorporated into the best beadless SF-PVA-AV nanofibers. The successful loading of VE in starch nanoparticles was proved by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy indicated that spherical nanoparticles were successfully embedded within the nanofibers. In vitro release studies demonstrated that the release of VE was controlled by Fickian diffusion and was faster in samples containing more nanoparticles. Fibroblast attachment, proliferation, and collagen secretion were enhanced after adding AV and VE to the SF-PVA nanomatrix. Moreover, the incorporation of VE into the nanocomposite dressing enhanced antioxidant activity, which can have a positive effect on wound healing process by protecting the cells from toxic oxidation products.