A novel electrospun nanofibrous composite membrane for chronic wound healing

Abstract

In the present work an electrospun nanofibrous membrane composed of polyurethane (PU), sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) and pantothenic acid (PA) is developed for treating chronic wounds. Wounds are a common health problem and in particular, the chronic wounds such as vascular ulcers, diabetic ulcers and pressure ulcers cause a large number of morbidity and mortality. The main problems of the chronic wounds are prolonged inflammation phase and presence of acidic environment. These events deactivate the operation of growth factors and also the progression of natural healing mechanism. So, various types of advanced textile based dressings are developed to address the clinical complications associated with chronic wound management. The prepared electrospun scaffolds were characterised to study their physicochemical and hemocompatible properties. The SEM micrographs depicted continuous, smooth-interconnected nanofibrous morphology of PU-NaHCO3-PA scaffolds. The FTIR spectra indicated the addition of NaHCO3 and PA-based hydrophilic chemical groups which significantly enhanced the wettability of the composites. Further, the PU-NaHCO3 -PA composite membrane inferred to have a highly porous structure with the mean porosity of 79.4% ± 4.8% which may provide a conducive environment for adherence and proliferation of skin cells. The composite scaffold also offers a highly hemocompatible surface by delaying coagulation of blood through contact activation pathways and by limiting red blood cells damage. Therefore, the excellent physicochemical properties, blood compatibility and the delivery of PA are anticipated to speed up the impaired healing process of chronic wounds.