Neomycin and Clotrimazole Loaded Chitosan-Based Electrospun Wound Dressing: Development, Characterization, and...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Drug Delivery
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Chronic wounds often suffer from polymicrobial infections, complicating healing and increasing healthcare burdens.
• Current single-drug treatments are insufficient for complex bacterial and fungal infections in chronic wounds.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate and characterize a novel dual antimicrobial electrospun wound dressing for chronic wound therapy.
• To evaluate the controlled release kinetics and antimicrobial efficacy of neomycin and clotrimazole from a poly-(vinyl alcohol)/chitosan matrix.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of electrospun poly-(vinyl alcohol)/chitosan nanofibers loaded with neomycin and clotrimazole.
• Assessment of mechanical properties, fluid absorption, and drug release kinetics (Weibull and Higuchi models).
• Evaluation of antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive/negative bacteria and fungi (Aspergillus niger, Lasiodiplodia theobromae) using zone of inhibition assays.

Main Results:

• Optimized PVA/CS ratio (4:1) and drug concentrations (0.5% neomycin, 1% clotrimazole) achieved.
• Drug-loaded nanofibers exhibited suitable mechanical strength (7.49 MPa) and high water absorption (299%).
• Neomycin showed rapid release (40% in 1 hr), while clotrimazole exhibited sustained release.
• Significant zones of inhibition demonstrated potent antibacterial (22.5 mm vs. G+, 18.5 mm vs. G-) and antifungal (35.8 mm vs. A. niger, 27.0 mm vs. L. theobromae) activity.

Conclusions:

• A novel dual antimicrobial electrospun wound dressing with tailored release profiles was successfully fabricated.
• The dressing effectively mitigates polymicrobial infections, offering an integrated approach to chronic wound treatment.
• Further in vivo studies and clinical trials are warranted to confirm safety and efficacy.