Bromelain-Stabilized Jelly Fig Polysaccharide/Poly(vinyl alcohol)-Based Multifunctional Nanofiber Scaffolds for Cutaneous Wound Healing: Fabrication, Characterization, and In Vitro and In Vivo Studies.

Abstract

Nanofibers have the potential to improve wound healing by promoting tissue regeneration, moisture retention, and the transport of active agents. Here, we prepared the jelly fig polysaccharide (JFP)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based bromelain (Bro)-incorporated electrospun nanofibers for cutaneous wound healing applications. The physicochemical properties of the JFP/PVA and JFP/PVA/Bro nanofibers were thoroughly characterized. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the spectral characteristic peaks of the components. Scanning electron microscopy images showed that 1% (w/v) JFP and 10% (w/v) PVA solution with and without 1% (w/v) Bro produced uniform, nonbeaded nanofibers with average fiber diameters of 144 ± 19 and 138 ± 28 nm, respectively. JFP/PVA/Bro nanofibers showed 2-fold increased antioxidant activity and significant antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (P < 0.01) and Staphylococcus aureus (P < 0.001). In addition, these nanofibers were biodegradable, and JFP/PVA/Bro nanofibers showed short-term controlled release of Bro. In vitro cell culture analyses confirmed that both JFP/PVA and JFP/PVA/Bro nanofibers exhibited excellent biocompatibility. The addition of Bro improved fibroblast (L929) cell viability and migration compared to the control. The in vivo wound healing study confirmed the efficacy of these nanofibers in full-thickness cutaneous wound healing. The JFP/PVA/Bro treatment improved vascularization, collagen synthesis, and wound closure rate significantly. The study also demonstrated that JFP/PVA/Bro nanofiber treatment resulted in a reduced epithelialization time (17 ± 1 days) compared to JFP/PVA (19 ± 2 days) and control (23 ± 1.5 days). These results show that JFP/PVA/Bro nanofiber dressings can successfully treat acute wounds.