Title : Polymeric Scaffold loaded with Polyphenolic Compound as Wound Dressings: A promising approach to wound healing
Abstract:
Wounds are physical injuries which result in loss of the skin surface integrity. Proper healing of wound is essential for restoration of disturbed functions of skin. In the present research, we report fabrication of polyphenolic compound loaded nanofibrous scaffold as wound dressing for effective wound healing. Nanofibrous scaffolds were prepared by electrospinning and freeze-drying technique using Polyethylene oxide as a polymer and glutaraldehyde as a crosslinker. Prepared scaffolds were characterized for scanning electron microscopy, Differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, swelling behaviour, water uptake capacity and drug release kinetics. Further, in vivo studies were carried out on rats by excisional wound model. Histopathological studies were performed to investigate the healing process. From the results of scanning electron microscopy, scaffolds containing 3% Polyethylene oxide in dichloromethane: dimethyl formamide (8:2) mixture was selected for further characterization. The optimized scaffold showed more than 95 % release of polyphenolic compound in 168 h indicating controlled release through scaffolds. The histopathological study indicated that polyphenolic compound loaded scaffolds improved the results for granulation tissue score, wound maturity score, period of epithelisation and collagen distribution. This concludes that, polyphenolic compound shows improved wound healing activity when incorporated in electrospun nanofibrous scaffold and freeze-dried scaffolds. Scaffolds extends the drug release for prolong period and helps in cell signaling, exchange of gases to wound surface and cell migration and proliferation. Thus, the polyphenolic compound loaded polymeric scaffolds can be used as a promising approach for improved wound healing.
