Electrospun gelatin nanofibers loaded with vitamins A and E as antibacterial wound dressing materialsElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c6ra05092a

• Main Authors: Li, Heyu, Wang, Maochun, Williams, Gareth R, Wu, Junzi, Sun, Xiaozhu, Lv, Yao, Zhu, Li-Min
• Format: Journal Article
• Published: 23.05.2016
• ISSN: 2046-2069
• DOI: 10.1039/c6ra05092a

Vitamin A palmitate and vitamin E TPGS, common derivatives of the unstable vitamins A and E, were successfully incorporated into biodegradable gelatin nanofibers via electrospinning. Electron microscopy showed that smooth cylindrical fibers were produced, albeit with a small amount of beading visible for the vitamin-loaded systems. The diameters of the fibers decrease with the addition of vitamins. The presence of the vitamins in the fibers was confirmed by IR spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction showed them to exist in the amorphous physical form post-electrospinning. The addition of vitamins did not affect the hydrophilic properties of the gelatin nanofibers. Fibers containing vitamin A or E alone showed a sustained release profile over more than 60 hours, and those incorporating both vitamins showed similar release characteristics, except that the extent of release for vitamin A was increased. Antibacterial tests demonstrated that materials loaded with vitamin E were effective in inhibiting the growth of E. coli and S. aureus . The fibers could promote the proliferation of fibroblasts during the early stages of culture, and enhance the expression of collagen-specific genes. In vivo tests determined that the fibers loaded with vitamins have better wound healing performance than a commercially used antiseptic gauze and casting films. Illustration showing the fabrication process and test contents of electrospun gelatin nanofibers loaded with vitamins A and E as wound dressing materials in this paper.