Antibacterial Electrospun Polycaprolactone Nanofibers Reinforced by Halloysite Nanotubes for Tissue Engineering

Abstract

Due to its slow degradation rate, polycaprolactone (PCL) is frequently used in biomedical applications. This study deals with the development of antibacterial nanofibers based on PCL and halloysite nanotubes (HNTs). Thanks to a combination with HNTs, the prepared nanofibers can be used as low-cost nanocontainers for the encapsulation of a wide variety of substances, including drugs, enzymes, and DNA. In our work, HNTs were used as a nanocarrier for erythromycin (ERY) as a model antibacterial active compound with a wide range of antibacterial activity. Nanofibers based on PCL and HNT/ERY were prepared by electrospinning. The antibacterial activity was evaluated as a sterile zone of inhibition around the PCL nanofibers containing 7.0 wt.% HNT/ERY. The morphology was observed with SEM and TEM. The efficiency of HNT/ERY loading was evaluated with thermogravimetric analysis. It was found that the nanofibers exhibited outstanding antibacterial properties and inhibited both Gram- (Escherichia coli) and Gram+ (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria. Moreover, a significant enhancement of mechanical properties was achieved. The potential uses of antibacterial, environmentally friendly, nontoxic, biodegradable PCL/HNT/ERY nanofiber materials are mainly in tissue engineering, wound healing, the prevention of bacterial infections, and other biomedical applications.

Fibrous electrospun polycaprolactone nanomat reinforced with halloysite nanotubes: Preparation and study of its potential application as tissue engineering scaffold

“…Accordingly, it seems that the PCL + HNTs composite sample containing 5%HNTs to be as a more proper substrate for cell adhesion compared to the other nanocomposites and neat PCL scaffold samples. Similar results were observed with previous studies, in which PCL scaffolds with 6%HNTs showed proper nanofiber structure 22 …”

“…Similar results were observed with previous studies, in which PCL scaffolds with 6%HNTs showed proper nanofiber structure. 22…”

Emulsion electrospinning of sodium alginate/poly(ε-caprolactone) core/shell nanofibers for biomedical applications

“…[25][26][27] Several studies have been reported on the electrospinning of PCL. [28][29][30][31] However, encapsulating watersoluble agents in PCL scaffolds is challenging because its hydrophobic nature limits drug-polymer interactions (e.g., hydrogen bonding). Moreover, another problem is the solubility of water-soluble agents in the organic solvents that t PCL.…”

“…25–27 Several studies have been reported on the electrospinning of PCL. 28–31 However, encapsulating water-soluble agents in PCL scaffolds is challenging because its hydrophobic nature limits drug–polymer interactions ( e.g. , hydrogen bonding).…”

Preparation and characterisation of polycaprolactone–fibroin nanofibrous scaffolds containing allicin

“…Also, the impressive improvement in flexibility of PCL was investigated in [ 13 ] that can be used for many applications in tissue engineering. In [ 14 ], PCL nanofibers were refined by halloysite nanotubes for tissue engineering. A novel electrospun nanofiber membrane was fabricated in [ 15 ] that consists of PCL, chitosan oligosaccharides, and Qe/Rutin as the potential bioactive dressing for wound healing that regardless other combinations was limited to poor water solubility [ 16 ].…”