Resveratrol-coated chitosan mats promote angiogenesis for enhanced wound healing in animal model

BackgroundGrowing incidences of chronic wounds recommend the development of optimal therapeutic wound dressings. Electrospun nanofibers have been considered to show potential wound healing properties when accompanied by other wound dressing materials. This study aimed to explore the potential role of Chitosan (CS) nanofibrous mats coated with resveratrol (RS) as an antioxidant and pro-angiogenic agent in rat models of skin wound healing.MethodsElectrospun chitosan/polyethylene oxide (PEO) nanofibers were prepared using electrospinning technology and coated by 0.05 and 0.1 mg.ml resveratrol named as (CS/RS 0.05) and (CS/RS 0.1), respectively. The scaffolds were characterized physiochemically such as in vitro release study, TGA, FTIR spectroscopy analysis, biodegradability, and human dermal fibroblast seeding assay. The scaffold was subsequently used in vivo as a skin substitute on a rat skin wound model.ResultsIn vitro tests revealed that all scaffolds promoted cell adhesion and proliferation. However, more cell viability was observed in CS/RS 0.1 scaffold. The biocompatibility of the scaffolds was validated by MTT assay, and the results did not show any toxic effects on human dermal fibroblasts. It was observed that RS-coated scaffolds had the ability to release RS in a controlled manner. In in vivo tests CS/RS 0.1 scaffold had the greatest impact on the healing process by improving the neodermis formation and modulated inflammation in wound granulation tissue. Histological analysis revealed enhanced vascular endothelial growth factor expression, epithelialization and increased depth of wound granulation tissue.ConclusionsThe RS-coated CS/PEO nanofibrous scaffold accelerates wound healing and may be useful as a dressing for cell transfer and clinical skin regeneration. A novel resveratrol (RS)-coated chitosan nanofibrous mats was designed. In vitro tests revealed that RS-coated scaffolds released RS in a controlled manner and promoted fibroblast adhesion and proliferation. In vivo tests revealed that RS-coated scaffolds modulated inflammation, improved neoderm formation, and vascular endothelial growth factor expression. The RS-coated CS/PEO nanofiber scaffold may be useful as a dressing for cell transfer and clinical skin regeneration.image