Silk fibroin nanofibers containing chondroitin sulfate and silver sulfadiazine for wound healing treatment

International audienceNanofibers containing silk fibroin (SF), chondroitin sulfate (CS) and silver sulfadiazine (SSD) were made up by electrospinning technique. Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) was added to the acidic water solution used for electrospinning to improve electrospinnability. Fibers were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and biological analysis. The FTIR-ATR and DSC results showed that PEO was removed from the surface of the nanofibers by washing the as-spun fibers with absolute ethanol. FTIR-ATR and EDS results showed that CS and SSD remained in the nanofibers. Biological assays showed that the as-obtained nanofibers are not toxic to healthy Vero cells. Antibacterial activity tests showed that the concentration of CS significantly influenced the antibacterial activity of the samples. In vivo experiments with Wistar rats revealed that SF nanofibers containing CS and SSD had similar results to standard SSD cream treatment, with the advantage of being applied only once to the patient avoiding discomfort and pain in dressing changes. CS played an important role as a stabilizing agent of electrospinning solutions improving SSDremaining and enhancing the antibacterial activity of nanofibers against bacteria through in vitro