Bacterial cellulose nanofibers fabricated using electrospinning as a wound dressing material

The design and fabrication of multifunctional wound dressings are critical for promoting efficient tissue regeneration and infection control. In this study, electrospun bacterial cellulose/polycaprolactone (BCP-LD) nanofiber scaffolds were developed by incorporating lidocaine hydrochloride to impart analgesic functionality. To further enhance the therapeutic efficacy, the scaffold surface was modified with a gum arabic matrix loaded with silver sulfadiazine, resulting in a dual-functional composite (BCP-LSD) with both antimicrobial and anesthetic properties. Comprehensive physicochemical and biological characterizations demonstrated that the BCP-LSD scaffolds exhibit excellent biocompatibility and support cell proliferation, as evidenced by MTT and cell adhesion assays using baby hamster kidney (BHK-21) fibroblasts. Surface modification significantly improved scaffold hydrophilicity, confirmed by water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) and contact angle measurements, facilitating a moist wound environment conducive to healing. Antimicrobial assays revealed potent bactericidal activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, indicating the scaffold's effectiveness in preventing wound infections. In vitro drug release studies in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS, pH 7.4) showed an initial burst release of approximately 28 % of silver sulfadiazine within 30 min, followed by a sustained release profile extending up to 84 h. Lidocaine exhibited a 29 % burst release in the first 30 min, with complete release achieved within 108 h. These findings underscore the potential of the BCP-LSD nanofiber scaffold as a next-generation wound dressing, offering a synergistic combination of antimicrobial protection, sustained analgesic release, and a bioactive environment favorable for wound healing.