An asymmetric electrospun membrane for the controlled release of ciprofloxacin and FGF-2: Evaluation of antimicrobial and chemoattractant properties

Here, an asymmetric double-layer membrane has been designed and fabricated by electrospinning as a tool for a potential wound healing application. A hydrophobic layer has been produced by using a polyurethanepolycaprolactone (PU-PCL) copolymer and loaded with the antibacterial ciprofloxacin whereas an ion responsive hydrophilic layer has been produced by using an octyl derivative of gellan gum (GG-C8) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and loaded with the growth factor FGF-2. This study investigated how the properties of this asymmetric membrane loaded with actives, were influenced by the ionotropic crosslinking of the hydrophilic layer. In particular, the treatment in DPBS and the crosslinking in CaCl2 0.1 or 1 M of the hydrophilic layer affected the release profile of the bioactive molecules allowing to modulate both the antimicrobial effect, as assayed by logarithmic reduction of the Staphylococcus aureus viable count, and the chemoattractant properties on NIH 3 T3 cell line, as assayed by scratch test and cell chemoattraction assay.

Automated summary

An asymmetric double-layer membrane was designed and fabricated for potential wound healing application, with a hydrophobic layer loaded with antibacterial ciprofloxacin and a hydrophilic layer loaded with growth factor FGF-2. The properties of the membrane loaded with actives were affected by ionotropic crosslinking of the hydrophilic layer, which modulated antimicrobial effects and cell chemoattractant properties.