Bionic, porous, functionalized hybrid scaffolds with vascular endothelial growth factor promote rapid wound healing in Wistar albino rats

Bionic collagen-poly(dialdehyde) locust bean gum based hybrid scaffolds synergistically combined with vascular endothelial growth factor were prepared to regenerate tissue formation for wound healing applications. The dialdehyde functionalities introduced in the locust bean gum were responsible for the improved collagen stability, biostability and immobilization of vascular endothelial growth factor in the hybrid scaffolds. In vitro Swiss 3T6 mouse fibroblast cell culture studies reveal that the prepared hybrid scaffolds have enhanced cell viability and infiltration. An in vivo wound healing study demonstrates that the collagen-poly(dialdehyde) locust bean gum-vascular endothelial growth factor hybrid scaffolds boost the level of fibroblast and neovascular content as well as collagen deposition; complete epithelialization occurs within 16 +/- 0.9 days. The results show that the vascular endothelial growth factor immobilized hybrid scaffold induces chemotactic effects to promote rapid tissue regeneration and wound repair, thereby demonstrating its potential for burn wounds, chronic wounds and diabetic foot ulcer treatments.