Production and Characterization of H. perforatum Oil-Loaded, Semi-Resorbable, Tri-Layered Hernia Mesh

Hernia repair is the most common surgical operation applied worldwide. Mesh prostheses are used to support weakened or damaged tissue to decrease the risk of hernia recurrence. However, the patches currently used in clinic applications have significant short-term and long-term risks. This study aimed to design, produce, and characterize a three-layered semi-resorbable composite hernia mesh using the electrospinning technique, where the upper layer (parietal side) was made of non-resorbable polypropylene (PP-Cl) fibers, the partially resorbable middle layer was made of PP-Cl and polycaprolactone (PCL) fibers, and the fully resorbable lower layer (visceral side) was made of H. perforatum oil-loaded polyethylene glycol (PEG) fibers. The extracellular matrix-like fibrous structure of the patches provided low density and high porosity, minimizing the risk of long-term foreign body reactions, and the hydrophilic/hydrophobic character of the surfaces and the detected swelling rates supported biocompatibility. The patches exhibited mechanical properties comparable to commercially available products. Controlled release of therapeutic oil could be achieved from the oil-integrated patches due to the dissolution of PEG in the acute process. In vitro cell culture studies with the L929 mouse fibroblast cell line revealed that the meshes do not have a cytotoxic nor a biomaterial-induced necrotic effect that will induce apoptosis of the cells. The visceral side of the meshes exhibited non-adherence of cell-like structures to the surface due to the dissolution of PEG. The composite hernia patches were concluded to reduce the risk of adhering to internal organs in the hernia area, have the potential to be used in in vivo biomedical applications, and will support the search for an ideal hernia mesh that can be used in the treatment of abdominal hernias.