A Facile Method for Controlled Fabrication of Hybrid Silver Nanoparticle-Poly(epsilon-caprolactone) Fibrous Constructs with Antimicrobial Properties

Abstract

Infection is one of the major factors affecting wound healing. The use of polymeric fibrous constructs or scaffolds with encapsulated biologically active components has shown great potential in topical wound care as wound dressings to expedite wound healing process; however, there is a limitation in precise control over the release of active components. Therefore, in this study, the authors developed a facile method for controlled fabrication of poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) microfibrous constructs with silver (Ag) nanoparticles as antibacterial agent by single capillary electrospinning. By optimizing spinning parameters, the PCL microfibrous constructs were fabricated. The encapsulation of Ag nanoparticles within the PCL microfibers was confirmed using microstructural analysis. The encapsulation efficacy and release profile of Ag was evaluated in vitro. The diffusion study further revealed the controlled release and optimal bioavailability of Ag during the experimental period. In vitro assessment of antibacterial activity of electrospun hybrid constructs showed a high antibacterial activity and an inhibitory effect on the growth of both staphylococcus aureus and escherichia coli bacteria when compared to PCL and their efficiency of antibacterial activity also varied with respect to the percent of encapsulated Ag nanoparticles. This kind of Ag nanoparticles-loaded PCL microfibrous constructs may be considered for wound care applications.