Improvement of the Wound-Healing Process by Curcumin-Loaded Chitosan/Collagen Blend Electrospun Nanofibers: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies

Abstract

Chronic wounds have become a major health problem worldwide. Curcumin (Cur), with strong anti-inflammatory and anti-infective properties, is introduced as a unique molecule for wound dressing applications. In the present study, Cur-loaded chitosan/poly­(ethylene oxide)/collagen (Cho/PEO/Col) nanofibers were developed for wound dressing applications by the blend–electrospinning process. Structural, mechanical, and biological properties of nanofibers were evaluated using SEM, FTIR, tensile testing, in vitro release study, Alamar blue cytotoxicity assay, and in vivo study in a rat model. According to the results, Cur was successfully released up to 3 days without any significant cytotoxicity of the above hybrid to human dermal fibroblasts. In vivo studies on full-thickness wounds in the rat model indicated significant improvement in the mean wound area closure by applying Cur-loaded Cho/PEO/Col nanofibers. The electrospun Cho/PEO/Col nanofibers loaded with Cur could be considered as a promising type of wound dressing in the wound-healing process.

Effect of Chitosan Deacetylation on Its Affinity to Type III Collagen: A Molecular Dynamics Study

“…There are various bio-medical, tissue engineering, and cosmetic applications of collagen blends, including chitosan hydrogels, films and nanofibers. Some interesting examples are wound healing [47][48][49][50][51], artificial skin [52][53][54] and rheological modifiers of personal care products [55] and locomotor system disease treatment [56]. The latter example deserves special attention due to the global prevalence of joint diseases in recent years [57,58].…”

Pathological examination of blended and co-electrospinning hybrid polycaprolactone/polyurethane nanofibers for soft tissue engineering applications

“…1 The collagen fibers are a major component in the extracellular matrix (ECM) of soft tissue and are found in the form of nano-fibrous structure. [2][3][4] Therefore, nanofibers are great importance to mimic the structural, mechanical, and biological environment of native ECM. 5,6 Generally, designing biocompatible synthetic nanofibers scaffolds by bio-materials that they can properly interact with cells and tissue is a functional approach in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.…”

“…5,6 Generally, designing biocompatible synthetic nanofibers scaffolds by bio-materials that they can properly interact with cells and tissue is a functional approach in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. 4,7 In this regard, using the histological analysis as the gold standard for biocompatibility tissue examination to assess the inflammation or healing stage and to monitor the presence and distribution of degradation products that dissolved into the surrounding tissue is necessary, because the synthetic nanofibers scaffolds are recognized as foreign bodies and evoke an array of inflammatory responses and unwanted reactions. 8 In this regard, finding suitable bio-materials and methods for the fabrication of biocompatible synthetic nanofibers scaffolds for STE applications with improvement in immune response and acceptable histological examination is an interesting field of research.…”

“…1 The collagen fibers are a major component in the extracellular matrix (ECM) of soft tissue and are found in the form of nano-fibrous structure. 2–4 Therefore, nanofibers are great importance to mimic the structural, mechanical, and biological environment of native ECM. 5,6…”

“…Generally, designing biocompatible synthetic nanofibers scaffolds by bio-materials that they can properly interact with cells and tissue is a functional approach in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. 4,7…”