Development and Investigation of an Innovative 3D Biohybrid Based on Collagen and Silk Sericin Enriched with Flavonoids for Potential Wound Healing Applications

• Published in: Polymers Vol. 16; no. 12; p. 1627
• Main Authors: Sleiman, Lea, Lazăr Popa, Andreea-Daniela, Albu-Kaya, Mădălina, Marin, Minodora Maria, Kaya, Durmuș Alpaslan, Vasile, Otilia-Ruxandra, Dinescu, Sorina
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 08.06.2024; MDPI
• Subjects: Antibiotics; Antioxidants; Biocompatibility; biomaterials; Biomedical materials; Cell adhesion; Cell adhesion & migration; Cell growth; Collagen; curcumin; Fibroblasts; Flavonoids; Growth factors; Infrared spectroscopy; Investigations; Microencapsulation; Physiology; Polymers; quercetin; Regeneration (physiology); Regenerative medicine; Scaffolds; Scanning electron microscopy; Silk; silk sericin; Skin; Spectrum analysis; Three dimensional composites; Tissue engineering; Tumor necrosis factor-TNF; Wound healing; United States > US; Germany; silk sericin; tissue regeneration; wound healing; collagen; quercetin; biomaterials; curcumin
• ISSN: 2073-4360; 2073-4360
• DOI: 10.3390/polym16121627

Skin tissue injuries necessitate particular care due to associated complex healing mechanisms. Current investigations in the domain of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine are focused on obtaining novel scaffolds adapted as potential delivery systems to restore lost tissue functions and properties. In this study, we describe the fabrication and evaluation of a novel 3D scaffold structure based on collagen and silk sericin (CollSS) enriched with microcapsules containing natural compounds, curcumin (C), and/or quercetin (Q). These 3D composites were characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, water uptake, in vitro collagenase degradation, and SEM microscopy. Furthermore, they were biologically evaluated in terms of biocompatibility, cell adhesion, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. All tested materials indicated an overall suitable biocompatibility, with the best results obtained for the one containing both flavonoids. This study suggests the cumulative beneficial effect of C and Q, encapsulated in the same composite, as a potential non-invasive therapeutic strategy for skin tissue regeneration in patients suffering from chronic wounds.