Electrospun PVA-PCL/HA nanofiber scaffolds containing mupirocin for surgical wound healing in Sprague Dawley rats

Surgical site infections (SSIs) and wound dehiscence are significant postoperative complications that prolong hospital stays and increase treatment costs thus highlighting the need for effective wound dressing options to support healing and minimize scar formation. This study seeks to produce biodegradable electrospun scaffolds for initial burst release and subsequent prolonged release of bioactive substances to enhance wound closure after surgical procedures. Five nanofibrous scaffolds were fabricated using keratin, PCL-PVA blend with CoQ10, mupirocin, and hyaluronic acid at a voltage of 25 - 27 kV, a flow rate of 1 mL/h, at a collection distance of 15 cm. Formulations S1 {PCL, PVA, Keratin}, S2 {PCL, PVA, keratin, Co-enzyme Q10}, S3 {PCL, PVA, keratin, mupirocin}, S4 {PCL, PVA, keratin, CoQ10, mupirocin} SH (PVA, HA) and S5 (bi-layer formulation of SH and S4 with S4 as the bottom layer) were made. Morphological, mechanical, and chemical analyses were conducted on the fabricated nanofibrous scaffolds. Biological characterization, including in vitro cell adhesion, proliferation tests, and drug release, was conducted to assess the scaffolds' biocompatibility, toxicity, and drug release. The suitability of the scaffolds was tested in surgical wound models in Sprague Dawley rats. Fiber diameters ranged from 1330 nm in S1 to 330 nm in S4, with drug release from S3 and S4 nanofibers sustained for about 36 h. While mupirocin release kinetics were quantified, the inclusion of CoQ10, keratin, and HA was primarily for functional enhancement (antioxidant, hemostatic, ECM-mimetic effects). The incorporation of hyaluronic acid as a second layer in S5 also reduced scar formation. All scaffolds were non-cytotoxic with cell viability above 80%. Scaffold (S5) attained 84.9 ± 3.1% porosity, 310 ± 15% swelling capacity, and a 72° ± 2° contact angle. S5 exhibited 100% wound closure in 9 days and a collagen deposition index of 4.8 ± 0.2. FTIR confirmed additive compatibility, and SEM showed smooth, porous beadless fibers, except in S2 mats. Co-electrospun PVA/PCL- HA fibers offer great potential for controlled delivery of bioactive substances necessary to protect the wound site from infection and minimize scar formation after surgery.