Synthesis and characterization of curcumin loaded PLA-Hyperbranched polyglycerol electrospun blend for wound dressing applications

This study is aimed to develop curcumin (Cur) incorporated electrospun nanofibers of a blend of poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and hyperbranched polyglycerol (HPG) for wound healing applications. Both the polymers are synthesized and fabricated by electrospinning technique. The produced nanofibers were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Differential Scanning Colorimetry (DSC) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). Electrospun scaffolds (PLA/HPG/Cur) exhibits very high hydrophilicity, high swelling and drug uptake and promotes better cell viability, adhesion and proliferation when compared to PLA/Cur electrospun nanofibers. Biodegradation study revealed that the morphology of the nanofibers were unaffected even after 14 days immersion in Phosphate Buffered Saline. In vitro scratch assay indicates that migration of the cells in the scratch treated with PLA/HPG/Cur is complete within 36 h. These results suggest that PLA/HPG/Cur nanofibers can be a potential wound patch dressing for acute and chronic wound applications. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.