Graphene oxide-cellulose nanocomposite accelerates skin wound healing

The usage of materials with the potential to accelerate wound healing is a great benefit for patients and health care systems. This study evaluated the impact of using graphene oxide (GO)-cellulose nanocomposite on skin wound healing via in vitro and in vivo investigations. The nanomaterial was synthesized and characterized. Cytocompatibility performance of the GO-cellulose was investigated through in vitro testing based on MTT and live/dead assays by EA.hy926 human endothelial cells (ECs). Additionally, the effect of GO-cellulose on induced wound scratch model using EA.hy926 ECs was investigated. Finally, the therapeutic effect of GO-cellulose was evaluated in vivo after the creation of two full-thickness wounds in the dorsum of rats (8 mm diameter). These wounds were randomly placed into two groups, the control group (10 wounds) and the GO-cellulose group (10 wounds), and monitored for gross and histopathological changes at 7 and 21 days after wound induction. MTT and Live/Dead assays showed excellent GO-cellulose cytocompatibility, whereas no difference in ECs viability was observed after culturing using conditioned media. GO-cellulose nanocomposite enhanced cell migration in the in vitro wound scratch assay. As compared to the control group, the GO-cellulose nanocomposite group's wound healing process was promoted in the in vivo rat skin wounds. Interestingly, wound re-epithelization and neovascularization were significantly accelerated in the GO-cellulose-treated rats. Furthermore, thick granulation tissue formation and intense collagen deposition were found in the GO-cellulose group. These findings showed that GO-cellulose has a promoting effect on skin wound healing, suggesting its promising and potential application in tissue regeneration.