Investigation of wound healing efficiency of multifunctional eudragit/soy protein isolate electrospun nanofiber incorporated with ZnO loaded halloysite nanotubes and allantoin

One significant aspect of the current therapeutic agents employed in wound healing involves the engineering of nano polymeric scaffolds to mimic the properties of extracellular matrix (ECM). The present work aimed to prepare and evaluate Eudragit (R) L100 (EU) nanofibers in combination with soy protein isolate (SPI). Allantoin (Ala) with a 2 wt% was encapsulated as a model drug renowned for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agents. Moreover, the synthesized ZnO-halloysite nanotubes (ZHNTs) with different concentrations of 1, 3, and 5 wt% were incorporated into the EU/SPI/Ala nanofiber as a reinforcing filler and a remarkable antibacterial agent. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis showed that by increasing the weight percentage of SPI from 1 % to 2.5 %, the average diameter of nanofibers decreased from 132.3 +/- 51.3 nm to 126.7 +/- 47.2 nm. It was 223.5 +/- 95.6 nm for nanofibers containing 5 wt% ZHNTs (the optimal sample). The evaluation of in vitro release kinetics of Ala for 24 h, showed a burst release during the first 2 h and a sustained release during the subsequent times. Moreover, the structure, crystallinity, and thermal stability of synthesized nanofibers were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), respectively. In vitro degradation and mechanical characteristics of these nanofibers were studied. Furthermore, the capability of the nanofibers for cell proliferation was revealed through the MTT test and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) images of cell attachment. The antimicrobial activity of EU/SPI/ Ala/ZHNTs showed that this sample with high ZHNTs content (5 w%t) had the most remarkable antibacterial activity against S. aureus. The results revealed that EU/SPI/Ala/ZHNTs mats could be promising potential wound dressings.

Automated summary

One important aspect of wound healing involves the use of engineered nano polymeric scaffolds to mimic the properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM). In this study, Eudragit L100 nanofibers combined with soy protein isolate (SPI) were prepared and evaluated. Allantoin (Ala) was encapsulated as a model drug with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. ZnO-halloysite nanotubes (ZHNTs) were incorporated into the nanofibers as a reinforcing filler and antibacterial agent. The results showed that the nanofibers had good release kinetics, mechanical characteristics, and antimicrobial activity. The study suggests that these nanofibers could be promising potential wound dressings.