aPVA/gelatin nanofibrous scaffold with high anti-bacterial activity for skin wound healing applications

Developing biocompatible and biodegradable skin wound dressings with enhanced antibacterial and healing properties, in addition to appropriate mechanical, biological, and physical characteristics, remains a formidable challenge. This research focuses on fabricating a covalently crosslinked nanofibrous scaffold using PVA, gelatin, and gentamicin, specifically designed to exhibit potent antibacterial activity against a broad spectrum of gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. Comprehensive evaluations were conducted to characterize the nanofibrous scaffold, including chemical, physical, biological, and antibacterial activity assays against various bacteria. Furthermore, the wound-healing performance of the scaffold was evaluated using an in vivo ICR mouse model. The results demonstrate that the scaffold possesses an extracellular matrix-mimicking structure, excellent swelling, appropriate mechanical stability, and in vitro biocompatibility. In vitro antibacterial tests reveal the scaffold's high efficacy against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, highlighting its potential in preventing wound infections and promoting wound healing. In vivo experiments illustrate that the PVA/gelatin nanofibrous scaffold significantly accelerates the wound healing process compared to control groups. In conclusion, the developed scaffold exhibits substantial potential as an efficient and effective wound dressing for skin wound healing applications. Its biocompatibility, antibacterial activity, and ability to enhance wound healing make it a promising scaffold for further development.