Electrospun Poly(caprolactone)/Poly(ethylene oxide) Membranes Incorporating Green-Synthesized Zinc Oxide...

Infections are the most frequent complication that impair normal skin repair, often leading to chronic wounds. To overcome this challenge, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were synthesized via green combustion using Moringa oleifera extract as fuel. These nanoparticles were incorporated into a poly(caprolactone)/poly(ethylene oxide) (PCL/PEO) membrane fabricated via electrospinning. The composite membranes were characterized by water contact angle, fluid absorption, morphology (SEM), cytotoxicity, cell proliferation (scratch assay), and antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The PCL/PEO membrane containing 5% ZnO exhibited optimal characteristics, including hydrophilicity, water uptake capacity exceeding 300%, and a morphology that is suitable for wound healing applications, with an average fiber diameter of 2.93 ± 2.05 µm, pore size of 21.46 ± 8.19 µm, and porosity exceeding 75%. Additionally, the membrane demonstrated excellent biocompatibility with murine fibroblasts, achieving a cell viability of 100%, and exhibited antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, with inhibition zones of 2.0 and 1.0 mm, respectively. The green synthesized moringa-ZnO imparted outstanding properties to the electrospun membrane, making the system PCL/PEO/moringa-ZnO a promising candidate for advanced wound dressings capable of promoting accelerated wound closure and treating infected wounds.