Hybrid electrospun scaffold loaded with Argireline acetate and Dexpanthenol for skin regeneration

Tissue engineering provides novel methods for a wide variety of skin injuries, among which, the electrospun nanofibers have attracted special attention for wound dressing fabrications. In this research, we have fabricated scaffolds based on Poly l-lactic acid (PLLA) and Polyethylene oxide (PEO) polymers and have loaded the hybrid PLLA/PEO with active substances, Argireline and Dexpanthenol. The five categories of nanofiber scaffolds were prepared by electrospinning: (1) PLLA, (2) PLLA/PEO hybrid scaffold, (3) PLLA/PEO hybrid scaffold loaded with Argireline (PLLA/PEO/A), (4) PLLA/PEO hybrid scaffold loaded with Dexpanthenol (PLLA/PEO/D), (5) PLLA/PEO hybrid scaffold loaded with Argireline and Dexpanthenol (PLLA/PEO/A/D). Our SEM analysis of the electrospun nanofibers shows that all nanofibers are bead-free and are in the range of 200–600 nm. The static water contact angle measurements via the sessile drop method have shown a transition from a hydrophobic surface for the PLLA scaffold (CA = 118.43 ± 1.6°) to a hydrophilic surface for PLLA/PEO hybrid scaffold (CA = 35.5 ± 2.8°). The addition of Argireline, Dexpanthenol, and a mixture of both has been shown to improve this wettability even further. The electrospun nanofiber scaffolds were further analyzed for their air permeability, and mechanical properties. The cytocompatibility analysis indicated superior performance for PLLA/PEO loaded with both Argireline and Dexpanthenol. The in-vivo analysis was conducted on the second-degree burn rat models in six different studied groups: 1-healthy rat, 2-negative control, and rats treated with 3-PLLA/PEO, 4-PLLA/PEO/A, 5-PLLA/PEO/D, and 6-PLLA/PEO/A/D. The wound area reduction was assessed on day 3, day 7, and day 14 in all groups along with the histology analysis based on hematoxylin/eosin. Our results show that rats treated with PLLA/PEO/A/D not only have a great reduction in the wound area, but their histology analysis demonstrates high angiogenesis and collagen formation, and epithelialization. We believe the existence of both active substances has a synergic effect on the wound healing process.