Zinc-integrated PLGA/chitosan nanofiber mesh: a platform for wound healing applications

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Non-healing wounds pose significant clinical challenges, leading to infections and chronic pain.
• Impaired natural regeneration mechanisms hinder effective wound closure.
• Zinc (Zn) demonstrates beneficial properties for wound healing, including enhanced cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and antimicrobial effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To incorporate metallic zinc nanoparticles into poly(d,l-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and PLGA/chitosan (PLGA-CH) nanofiber meshes.
• To evaluate the impact of zinc on the physical, chemical, and biological properties of these composite scaffolds.
• To assess the wound healing potential of the developed zinc-containing nanofiber meshes.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of composite fibrous meshes via electrospinning of polymer-zinc nanoparticle mixtures.
• Characterization of scaffold properties: fiber morphology, chemical composition, mechanical strength, and zinc ion (Zn2+) release kinetics.
• In vitro biological evaluation using 3T3 fibroblasts to assess cell proliferation and cytotoxicity.

Main Results:

• Zinc incorporation influenced the physical properties of PLGA scaffolds without altering their chemical composition.
• Zinc-containing meshes exhibited a dose-dependent release of Zn2+ ions.
• Certain composite formulations demonstrated composition-dependent cytotoxicity, with some supporting fibroblast proliferation, indicating potential for tissue remodeling.

Conclusions:

• Incorporating zinc nanoparticles into PLGA and PLGA-CH nanofiber meshes is a viable strategy for developing advanced wound healing materials.
• The biocompatibility and biodegradability of PLGA and chitosan, combined with zinc's therapeutic properties, offer a promising approach for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications.
• These composite scaffolds show potential for facilitating wound healing and tissue repair.