Characterization and evaluation of antibacterial and wound healing activity of naringenin-loaded polyethylene glycol/polycaprolactone electrospun nanofibers

Antibiotic resistance is one of the main reasons for the prolonged wound-healing process in the world. Therefore, natural compounds that possess excellent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, can promote the high performance of therapeutic avenues in wound treatment. We report the preparation and evaluation of Naringenin (Nrg), a poorly water-soluble model ingredient, loaded into Polycaprolactone (PCL)/Polyethylene glycol (PEG) nanofibers (NFs) as a novel antibacterial wound dressing. The electrospinning method was used to produce a smooth nanofiber. The structure, morphology, components interactions, contact angle, swelling ratios, tensile strength, antibacterial activity, and cell biocompatibility have been investigated. The SEM images revealed that linear morphology, homogeneous, and smooth surface nanofibers had been prepared. The electrospun mats show sustained Nrg-releasing properties at a high concentration of Nrg. It supplemented the FT-IR results that exhibit the cross-link between the –OH functional group of Nrg and C=O of PCL. The results illustrated significantly enhanced antibacterial performance of mats when minimal Nrg was applied in nanofibers, compared to the higher Nrg amounts in NFs. The non-toxic nature of mats was confirmed by increased survival of human fibroblast cells in MTT assay. In in vivo wound injury model in rat, the Nrg-loaded mats shows comparable re-epithelialization and wound closure to commercially available phenytoin ointment. Altogether, the study addresses the Nrg-loaded PCL/PEG NFs mats that can serve as the prototype biodegradable and antibacterial wound dressing to treat cutaneous wound infection.