Enhanced antibacterial activity of PEO-chitosan nanofibers with potential application in burn infection management

Chitosan (CS) is a well-known biological macromolecule having numerous applications due to its exceptional properties especially in the form of nanofibers. The antibacterial activity is compromised when co-polymers are added to electrospun CS but, the reproducibility can be enhanced which is key to commercialization. We have tried to enhance the antibacterial activity of chitosan based nanofibers with the addition of Zinc oxide (ZO) nanoparticles and ciprofloxacin (model drug) at very low concentrations. The rheology of solutions was studied along with the process parameters for the optimization of nanofibers using response surface methodology. Nanofibers having diameter of 116 nm with a SD of only 21 nm were optimized. ZO loaded nanofibers showed better thermal stability. Different drug release models were fitted to drug release profile. The release was pH dependent best followed by Zero order and Hixson Crowell release models. Good antibacterial activity and non-toxicity was observed against human dermal fibroblast and keratinocytes cell lines (>82.5%) which justifies its potential to eliminate or prevent infection in burn wounds with less side effects due to low amount of drug.