Biocompatible Aloe vera and Tetracycline Hydrochloride Loaded Hybrid Nanofibrous Scaffolds for Skin Tissue Engineering

Abstract

Aloe vera (AV) and tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH) exhibit significant properties such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-bacterial activities to facilitate skin tissue engineering. The present study aims to develop poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL)/ AV containing curcumin (CUR), and TCH loaded hybrid nanofibrous scaffolds to validate the synergistic effect on the fibroblast proliferation and antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria for wound healing. PCL/AV, PCL/CUR, PCL/AV/CUR and PCL/AV/TCH hybrid nanofibrous mats were fabricated using an electrospinning technique and were characterized for surface morphology, the successful incorporation of active compounds, hydrophilicity and the mechanical property of nanofibers. SEM revealed that there was a decrease in the fiber diameter (ranging from 360 to 770 nm) upon the addition of AV, CUR and TCH in PCL nanofibers, which were randomly oriented with bead free morphology. FTIR spectra of various electrospun samples confirmed the successful incorporation of AV, CUR and TCH into the PCL nanofibers. The fabricated nanofibrous scaffolds possessed mechanical properties within the range of human skin. The biocompatibility of electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds were evaluated on primary human dermal fibroblasts (hDF) by MTS assay, CMFDA, Sirius red and F-actin stainings. The results showed that the fabricated PCL/AV/CUR and PCL/AV/TCH nanofibrous scaffolds were non-toxic and had the potential for wound healing applications. The disc diffusion assay confirmed that the electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds possessed antibacterial activity and provided an effective wound dressing for skin tissue engineering.

Encapsulation of Bioactive Compounds from Aloe Vera Agrowastes in Electrospun Poly (Ethylene Oxide) Nanofibers

“…In addition, Aloe Vera inner gel extract was recently incorporated in different polymer matrices by electrospinning technique for several applications, mainly related to wound healing and skin tissue engineering, due to its intrinsic healing properties. In this sense, poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) [61], poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) [62][63][64], poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) [65], poly(lactic-co-glycolide acid) (PLGA) [66] and chitosan/PEO-based nanofibrous materials [67] including Aloe Vera gel with interesting functionalities (i.e., antioxidant, antimicrobial, enhanced mechanical properties) have been proposed for wound dressing applications. In relation to food packaging applications, Aloe Vera leaf juice was directly used as water-based solvent for PVP and PVA nanofibers production by electrospinning techniques [68].…”

Nanoparticle-Based Therapeutic Approach for Diabetic Wound Healing

“…It is well established that delivering of therapeutic active components such as growth factors, nitric oxide, nucleic acid, antioxidants, and antibiotics to damaged tissue, can stimulate cell proliferation, migration, angiogenesis, and collagen secretion, and inhibit microbes, thereby influencing healing of chronic wounds [ 50 ]. Nanofibers have received much attention because of their structural similarity, which closely mimics the native ECM environment [ 51 , 52 ]. Nanofibers promote wound healing by providing characteristics of high surface area to volume ratio, tunable mechanical properties, increased porosity, and ability to encapsulate nanoparticles and bioactive compounds for controlled release, which can support the cells to actively interact with the matrix during functionalization and remodeling [ 53 , 54 ].…”

Repositioning Natural Antioxidants for Therapeutic Applications in Tissue Engineering

“…In vivo, a higher water uptake was shown for lipid nanoparticles (LNP)-PLGA-AV membranes that attracted a minor number of macrophages in wounds [ 183 ]. Seeking enhanced wound healing activity, the PCL-AV scaffold was improved by the loading of tetracycline hydrochloride [ 147 ]; in particular, tensile strength, dermal fibroblasts activity, and broad antibacterial efficacy were superior than in PCL-AV-Cur scaffolds. One interesting finding is that AV can modulate collagen production during all of the phases of wound healing.…”