Recent advances in electrospun polycaprolactone based scaffolds for wound healing and skin bioengineering applications

Abstract Electrospun poly(ƹ-caprolactone) (PCL) scaffolds incorporated with bioactive materials play a key role in tissue engineering applications due to their extra cellular matrix (ECM) mimicking property, biocompatibility and biodegradability. Electrospinning is one of the most successful techniques for the fabrication of nonwoven, three-dimensional, porous, and nano or submicron scale fiber-based matrices with tunable morphology. Investigations on the use of electrospun PCL and its blends/composites for skin reconstruction has gained much momentum recently. Feasibility of improving the cell attachment and antimicrobial properties of scaffolds by incorporating active agents such as growth factors, medications and nanomaterials have been frequently investigated. For rapid wound healing, electrospun wound dressings/skin substitutes should be able to accelerate wound healing and enhance cell proliferation. Gradual degradation of the scaffold along with tissue regeneration is also very important. Thus, carefully designed scaffolds that can improve the skin regeneration along with the potential to promote rapid wound healing has become a promising strategy in tissue regeneration therapies. This review outlines, a comprehensive overview of electrospun PCL based scaffolds in the context of skin bioengineering and wound healing. It sought to give an understanding about the advances in electrospun PCL scaffolds after the incorporation of active agents and the need to take these advances from bench side to clinical practice.