Fabrication, characterization and biological properties evaluation of bioactive scaffold based on mineralized carbon nanofibers

Tissue engineering as an innovative approach aims to combine engineering, biomaterials and biomedicine to eliminate the drawbacks of conventional bone defect treatment. In the current study, we fabricated bioengineered electroactive and bioactive mineralized carbon nanofibers as the scaffold for bone tissue engineering applications. The scaffold was fabricated using the sol-gel method and thoroughly characterized by SEM imaging, EDX analysis and a 4-point probe. The results showed that the CNFs have a diameter of 200 ± 19 nm and electrical conductivity of 1.02 ± 0.12 S cm-1. The in vitro studies revealed that the synthesized CNFs were osteoactive and supported the mineral crystal deposition. The hemolysis study confirmed the hemocompatibility of the CNFs and cell viability/proliferation sassy using an MTT assay kit showed the proliferative activities of mineralized CNFs. In conclusion, this study revealed that the mineralized CNFs synthesized by the combination of sol-gel and electrospinning techniques were electroactive, osteoactive and biocompatible, which can be considered an effective bone tissue engineering scaffold.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Evaluation of two fungal exopolysaccharides as potential biomaterials for wound healing applications

Microbial exopolysaccharides (EPSs) are mostly produced by bacteria and fungi and have potential use in the production of biomedical products such as nutraceuticals and in tissue engineering applications. The present study investigated the in vitro biological activities and in vivo wound healing effects of EPSs produced from a Sclerotium-forming fungus (Sclerotium glucanicum DSM 2159) and a yeast (Rhodosporidium babjevae), denoted as scleroglucan (Scl) and EPS-R, respectively. EPS yields of 0.9 ± 0.07 g/L and 1.11 ± 0.4 g/L were obtained from S. glucanicum and R. babjevae, respectively. The physicochemical properties of the EPSs were characterized using infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Further investigations of the biological properties showed that both EPSs were cytocompatible toward the human fibroblast cell line and demonstrated  hemocompatibility. Favorable wound healing capacities of the EPSs (10 mg/mL) were also established via in vivo tests. The present study therefore showed that the EPSs produced by S. glucanicum and R. babjevae have the potential use as biocompatible components for the promotion of dermal wound healing.

Co-electrospun nanofibrous mats loaded with bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) extract as the wound dressing materials: in vitro and in vivo study

BACKGROUND

Interactive dressings are innovatively designed to interact with the wound surface and alter the wound environment to promote wound healing. In the current study, we integrated the physicochemical properties of Poly (caprolactone)/ Poly (vinyl alcohol)/Collagen (PCL/PVA/Col) nanofibers with the biological activities of Momordica charantia pulp extract to develop an efficient wound dressing. The electrospinning method was applied to fabricate the nanofibers, and the prepared wound dressings were thoroughly characterized.

RESULTS

SEM imaging showed that the nanofibers were uniform, straight, without any beds with a diameter in the range of 260 to 480 nm. Increasing the concentration of the extract increased the diameter of the nanofibers and also the wettability characteristics while reduced the ultimate tensile strength from 4.37 ± 0.90 MPa for PCL/PVA/Col to 1.62 ± 0.50 MPa for PCL/PVA/Col/Ex 10% (p < 0.05). The in vivo studies showed that the application of the wound dressings significantly enhanced the healing process and the highest wound closure, 94.01 ± 8.12%, was obtained by PCL/PVA/Col/Ex 10% nanofibers (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The incorporation of the extract had no significant effects on nanofibers' porosity, water vapor permeability, and swelling characteristics. The in vitro evaluations showed that the fabricated nanofibers were hemocompatible, cytocompatible, and prevent bacterial penetration through the dressing. These findings implied that the PCL/PVA/Col/Ex nanofibers can be applied as the wound dressing materials.