Nigella sativa Embedded Co-axial Electrospun PVA–Collagen Composite Nanofibrous Membrane for Biomedical Applications

Mitigating health issues utilizing medicinal plants is an ancient practice that has surged in recent times due to the advent of sophisticated technology. Plant extracts incorporated in electrospun nanofibers having biocompatibility and germicidal activity are, therefore, become a competitive choice for biomedical applications. In this study, a novel co-axial electrospun nanofibrous mat with enhanced antimicrobial performance was successfully developed using poly (vinyl alcohol) in the core and collagen– Nigella sativa in the sheath. The structural analysis of the developed nanofibrous mat through a scanning electron microscope revealed the formation of nanofibers with diameters varying from 205 to 250 nm randomly oriented in the membrane. The FT-IR spectroscopy confirmed the existence of poly(vinyl alcohol), collagen, and nigella extract in the nanofibrous mat from their respective characteristic peaks. The bactericidal assay against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus bacteria through the agar diffusion method demonstrated an improved antibacterial performance with a higher zone of inhibition (17 and 37 mm) of the coaxial electrospun nanofibers with the increased amount of nigella extract. The moisture management profile indicated an adequate interaction between nanofibers and moisture/liquid, transferring the fluids through the membrane satisfactorily. The formation of such electrospun nanofibers will pave the way for selecting electrospinning techniques for appropriate designing and fabricating nanofibrous materials with enhanced functional properties for biomedical applications.