Development of Cissus quadrangularis-Loaded POSS-Reinforced Chitosan-Based Bilayer Sponges for Wound Healing Applications: Drug Release and In Vitro Bioactivity

Nowadays, antibiotic-loaded biomaterials have been widelyusedin wound healing applications. However, the use of natural extractshas come into prominence as an alternative to these antimicrobialagents in the recent period. Among natural sources, Cissus quadrangularis (CQ) herbal extract is usedfor treatment of bone and skin diseases in ayurvedic medicine dueto its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study,chitosan-based bilayer wound dressings were fabricated with electrospinningand freeze-drying techniques. CQ extract-loaded chitosan nanofiberswere coated on chitosan/POSS nanocomposite sponges using an electrospinningmethod. The bilayer sponge is designed to treat exudate wounds whilemimicking the layered structure of skin tissue. Bilayer wound dressingswere investigated with regard to the morphology and physical and mechanicalproperties. In addition, CQ release from bilayer wound dressings and in vitro bioactivity studies were performed to determinethe effect of POSS nanoparticles and CQ extract loading on NIH/3T3and HS2 cells. The morphology of nanofibers was investigated withSEM analysis. Physical characteristics of bilayer wound dressingswere determined with FT-IR analysis, swelling study, open porositydetermination, and mechanical test. The antimicrobial activity ofCQ extract released from bilayer sponges was investigated with a discdiffusion method. Bilayer wound dressings' in vitro bioactivity was examined using cytotoxicity determination, woundhealing assay, proliferation, and the secretion of biomarkers forskin tissue regeneration. The nanofiber layer diameter was obtainedin the range of 77.9-97.4 nm. The water vapor permeabilityof the bilayer dressing was obtained as 4021 to 4609 g/m(2)day, as it is in the ideal range for wound repair. The release ofthe CQ extract over 4 days reached 78-80% cumulative release.The release media were found to be antibacterial against Gram-negativeand Gram-positive bacteria. In vitro studies showedthat both CQ extract and POSS incorporation induced cell proliferationas well as wound healing activity and collagen deposition. As a result,CQ-loaded bilayer CHI-POSS nanocomposites were found as a potentialcandidate for wound healing applications.