Tailoring polyethylene oxide-modified cross-linked chitosan/PVA nanofibrous membranes: Burn dressing scaffold developed for mupirocin release

In emergency treatment research, the focus on chitosan-based products for wound healing has been consistent. This study specifically explores a dressing made by mixing chitosan (CS) and poly (vinyl alcohol) PVA. Using electrospinning technology, nanofiber membranes of CS and PVA are created with the assistance of non-toxic and hydrophilic polyethylene oxide (PEO). The outcome is a new nanofibrous membrane loaded with mupirocin, designed for healing burn wounds. The study delves into the influence of PVA, CS, and PEO concentrations on the structural and chemical characteristics of the mats. This comprehensive exploration involves techniques such as Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) imaging, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry (FTIR analysis), and Contact angle measurements. Additionally, the research evaluates the antibacterial performance and biomedical behavior of the developed scaffolds. PEO proves beneficial in the electrospinning process, contributing to smoother fibers. Meanwhile, the addition of CS and mupirocin leads to formation of the thinner nanofibers (251 +/- 5 mu m and 263 +/- 4 mu m, respectively) and scaffolds with higher swelling (up to -3.5 times at 90 min). Notably, the (MTT) assay confirms the noncytotoxicity of the fabricated nanofibers, with proliferations exceeding -85% for all samples. The crosslinked samples released the drug more slowly than the non-crosslinked dressings, with 80% of the scaffolds releasing the drug within 24 h. The in-vivo investigations suggested that the drug-containing scaffolds performed reliably and showed promise as a medical dressing for treating burn wounds.