Biological and structural properties of graphene oxide/curcumin nanocomposite incorporated chitosan as a scaffold for wound healing application.

AIMS: The purpose of this research is to fabricate chitosan (CS)/graphene oxide (GO)/curcumin (Cur) 3D scaffolds through the freeze-drying method for wound dressing applications. MAIN METHODS: GO is produced by Hammer's method; then, it is characterized by X-ray diffraction and TEM analysis. Fabricated scaffolds are characterized by FTIR, FESEM, AFM, water vapor transmission rate, PBS absorption, contact angle, tensile strength, porosity measurement, biodegradability, and drug release methods. The cell viability and morphology of NIH/3 T3 cells are investigated by WST assay kit and FESEM analysis, and the antibacterial activity of scaffolds is determined by the optical density (OD) method. The photothermal antibacterial activity is characterized by NIR irradiation, too. KEY FINDINGS: The mean pore diameter of scaffolds adjusted by the incorporation of about 0-1.5%wt. of GO/Cur nanocomposite into CS matrix, decreasing from 87 to 40 µm that can be attributed to the intermolecular bonds between CS and GO/Cur nanocomposite. Besides, the PBS absorption of scaffolds enhances by the addition of GO/Cur, especially 1% of it. Furthermore, the overall average of cell viability of nanocomposite scaffolds is about 95%, and the FESEM images show that NIH/3T3 fibroblasts well spread on the nanocomposite scaffolds. GO/Cur has a significant influence on the antibacterial activity of CS scaffolds as CS/GO/Cur 0.5 scaffold diminishes the bacterial growth to about 52% of the control sample's growth. SIGNIFICANCE: The results evidence the antibacterial CS/GO/Cur scaffolds are excellent supports for cell growth and proliferation, and they could be promising candidates for wound dressing applications.

Electrospun poly-caprolactone/graphene oxide/quercetin nanofibrous scaffold for wound dressing: Evaluation of biological and structural properties.

AIMS: In this study, for the first time, the effect of quercetin (Q) on the characteristic properties, antimicrobial activity, and cell viability of polycaprolactone (PCL)/graphene oxide (GO) electrospun scaffold was investigated. MAIN METHODS: Quercetin loaded graphene oxide nanoparticles have been incorporated into the poly-caprolactone solution, and their mixture has been electrospun to be applied as a nanofibrous scaffold for wound dressing and tissue engineering applications. The properties of scaffolds, like their morphology, tensile strength, hydrophilicity, and in vitro biological performance, are investigated. KEY FINDINGS: The SEM micrographs reveal the uniform bead-free nanofibers with smooth structures have been successfully fabricated via the electrospinning procedure. The overall average of cell viability of NIH/3 T3 fibroblast cells on scaffolds is 95% that means the scaffolds have no toxicity, and FESEM shows cells attach and proliferate on scaffolds. Moreover, among all the fabricated scaffolds, the maximum release of quercetin belongs to PCL/GO/Q 0.5 with about 70% after 15 days, and this scaffold reduces bacterial growth by about 50% after 12 h shows the excellent effect of GO/Q on the antibacterial activity of PCL nanofibers. SIGNIFICANCE: The results confirm that more than 1% of GO has some cytotoxicity, which limits its concentration; therefore, a second antibacterial agent is essential to improve the antibacterial activity of PCL/GO scaffold, and quercetin shows that it is an excellent candidate for this purpose.