Nanofibrous composite from polycaprolactone-polyethylene glycol-aloe vera as a promising scaffold for bone repairing

Recently, herbal extract-loaded nanofibers have been developed using different types of components for tissue engineering applications. In this study, nanofibrous webs are fabricated from polycaprolactone (PCL)-polyethylene glycol (PEG) 1:1 mass ratio blend incorporated with different amounts of aloe vera extract through electrospinning. Combining the potential therapeutic properties of aloe vera in bone repair with physicochemical and biological properties of the nanofibers leads to design a promising scaffold for bone repairing. The produced scaffolds are characterized using scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and mechanical-strength test. From the results, the electrospun PCL-PEG-aloe vera web with 1:1:1 mass ratio shows a bead-less bimodal morphology consisting of nano-scale and micro-scale fibers with an average diameter of 280 and 670 nm, respectively. FTIR spectra revealed the possible hydrogen bonding between the three components. Mechanical investigation exhibited higher strength of aloe vera loaded nanofibers to unloaded nanofibers. From the MTT assay results, aloe vera-loaded nanofibrous scaffolds showed a high level of cell compatibility as well as excellent penetration, cell growth, and proliferation. According to the result of calcination, the ability of bone repairing was verified. The result confirmed a higher amount of calcium deposition on nanofibrous scaffolds incorporated with aloe vera extract.

Automated summary

In this study, nanofibrous webs loaded with different amounts of aloe vera extract were fabricated using electrospinning technique. The PCL-PEG-aloe vera nanofibers with a 1:1:1 mass ratio exhibited a bead-less bimodal morphology consisting of nano-scale and micro-scale fibers, and showed higher mechanical strength and cell compatibility compared to unloaded nanofibers. The nanofibrous scaffolds incorporated with aloe vera extract also exhibited excellent ability for bone repair, as confirmed by the higher amount of calcium deposition.