Preparation, characterization and biomedical applications of electrospun cellulose acetate nanofiber dressing fabricated with silver and bioglass nanoparticles for efficient wound healing in streptozotocin induced diabetic rat

Diabetic wound healing remains a significant challenge due to impaired and delayed healing processes. Recently, nanoscaffold dressings with their intricate architectures gained remarkable attention in regenerative medicine. Herein, electrospun cellulose acetate (CA) nanofiber dressings incorporated with various concentrations of bioglass nanoparticles (BGNPs) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were prepared as novel nanocomposites for possible healing of diabetic wound healing. The prepared dressings were physico-chemically characterized using scan electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy (FTIR), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The antimicrobial activities for the prepared dressings were firstly evaluated in-vitro and then in-vivo against streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. FTIR and EDX elemental analyses confirmed the chemical and the structural composition of the prepared electrospun CA/BGNPs/AgNPs nanofiber dressings. SEM analysis revealed uniform, smooth and continuous nanofiber (40–180 nm diameter) that showed higher thermal stability as indicated by TGA analysis. The 3% BGNPs and 5% AgNPs loaded CA nanofibers showed maximal antimicrobial activity specifically against the gram positive Staphylococcus aureus (42 ± 1.9 mm) and the gram negative Escherichia coli (43 ± 2.2 mm) which are the main two bacteria infecting wounds. In vivo study revealed remarkable acceleration in wound healing process with 3% BGNPs and 5% AgNPs combination with maximal efficient wound closure by Day 6 without induction of skin irritation. Therefore, the newly designed CA/BGNPs/AgNPs nanofiber dressing hold promising potential for the management of diabetic wounds.