Bacterial cellulose/soybean protein isolate composites with promoted inflammation inhibition, angiogenesis and hair follicle regeneration for wound healing

Soybean protein, as a safe and low-cost alternative to animal protein, attracts increasing attention in wound healing. In the present study, beta-conglycinin (7S) and glycinin (11S) with high solubility were obtained through separation of soybean protein. Afterward, 7S or 11S modified bacterial cellulose (BC) composites were produced by self-assembly method. Results confirmed the successful self-assembly of soybean protein isolates on the nanofibers of BC. The surface roughness and hydrophilicity of BC/7S and BC/11S decreased compared with native BC. Soybean protein could be steadily released from BC/7S and BC/11S and BC/11S released more soybean proteins than BC/7S. In vitro, BC/7S and BC/11S supported fibroblasts attachment and promoted fibroblasts proliferation and type I collagen expression. In vivo, BC/7S and BC/11S facilitated wound healing and collagen deposition, enhanced angiogenesis and hair follicle regeneration, as well as reduced scar formation and inflammation in full-thickness skin wounds of rats. Moreover, wounds treated with BC/11S showed a faster wound healing rate and more collagen depositions than those of BC/7S, which may be attributed to the larger considerable amount of soybean protein released by BC/11S. These results indicate that BC/7S and BC/11S are potential candidates for wound dressings.