Biocompatible Discopodium Ppenninervium loaded chitosan-PVA electrospun fibrous scaffold wound dressing

Hermela Ejegu; Mengdi Xu; Charles Kumah; Yan Qingshuai; Biruk Fentahun; Sun Yifan; Binjie Xin; Guangniao Xu; Hua Shen

doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.142875

Biocompatible Discopodium Ppenninervium loaded chitosan-PVA electrospun fibrous scaffold wound dressing

Int J Biol Macromol. 2025 May;309(Pt 2):142875. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.142875. Epub 2025 Apr 5.

Authors

Hermela Ejegu¹, Mengdi Xu², Charles Kumah³, Yan Qingshuai², Biruk Fentahun⁴, Sun Yifan², Binjie Xin⁵, Guangniao Xu⁶, Hua Shen⁷

Affiliations

¹ Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Advanced Textiles, College of Textiles, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China; Department of Textile Engineering, School of Textile Apparel and Fashion Design, Dire-Dawa University, Institute of Technology, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia.
² Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Advanced Textiles, College of Textiles, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China.
³ Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Advanced Textiles, College of Textiles, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China; Department of Industrial Art, Ho Technical University, Ghana.
⁴ Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Advanced Textiles, College of Textiles, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China; Department of Textile Engineering, Ethiopian Institute of Textile and Fashion Technology, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
⁵ School of Textiles and Fashion, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, Shanghai 201620, China.
⁶ Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Advanced Textiles, College of Textiles, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China. Electronic address: guangbiao_xu@dhu.edu.cn.
⁷ Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Advanced Textiles, College of Textiles, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China. Electronic address: shenhua@dhu.edu.cn.

PMID: 40194577
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.142875

Abstract

Biocompatible electrospun fibrous scaffolds that mimic the extracellular matrix (ECM) have significant potential in tissue engineering and wound healing applications. This study aimed to develop a novel scaffold by incorporating Discopodium penninervium (DP) leaf extract into chitosan-polyvinyl alcohol (CH-PVA) scaffolds via electrospinning and evaluate their biocompatibility, antibacterial properties, and efficacy in wound healing. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis identified bioactive compounds in the DP extract, including phenolic acids, phytol, linolenic acid, and gamma-sitosterol, which are known for their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and skin-regenerative properties. The scaffolds exhibited a continuous, smooth, bead-free structure with fiber diameters ranging from 186 ± 24.1 nm to 236 ± 14.22 nm. Crosslinking (CL) with glutaraldehyde enhanced hydrophilicity, water absorbency, and biodegradability. Scaffolds with 2 % and 3 % DP extract demonstrated enhanced cell viability (up to 116.49 %) and improved antibacterial efficacy, with inhibition zones of 21 mm and 21.5 mm against E. coli and 21.2 mm and 21.8 mm against S. aureus, respectively, significantly outperforming the control group. In vivo studies showed accelerated wound closure (98 % within 15 days) compared to untreated controls (85 %). Enhanced angiogenesis, re-epithelialization, and collagen deposition promoted faster healing, while modulation of IL-6 and TNF-α inflammatory markers balanced inflammation and tissue regeneration. These findings demonstrate the potential of DP-loaded CH-PVA scaffolds as innovative, sustainable, and effective wound dressings. Their enhanced healing properties and antibacterial performance present a promising solution for improving healthcare outcomes, particularly in resource-limited settings where affordable and accessible treatments are critically needed.

Keywords: Biocompatible; Crosslinking; Discopodium penninervium; Electrospun fibrous scaffold; Wound dressing materials.

MeSH terms

Animals
Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry
Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
Bandages*
Biocompatible Materials* / chemistry
Biocompatible Materials* / pharmacology
Cell Survival / drug effects
Chitosan* / chemistry
Escherichia coli / drug effects
Male
Mice
Plant Extracts* / chemistry
Plant Extracts* / pharmacology
Polyvinyl Alcohol* / chemistry
Rats
Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects
Tissue Scaffolds* / chemistry
Wound Healing* / drug effects

Substances

Chitosan
Polyvinyl Alcohol
Biocompatible Materials
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Plant Extracts