Abstract Electrospinning method is widely used to develop biomaterials useful in regenerative medicine. The addition of bioactive compounds to a polymeric matrix provides properties that promote its use in biomedical applications. In this work poly(lactic acid) (PLA) electrospun (ES) fibers loaded with Rumex hymenosepalus extract were prepared and characterized with the aim of obtained a novelty material for potential wound dressings applications. ES PLA fibers were obtained using parameter variations and fibers obtained with a flow rate of 0.6 mL/h and voltage of 15 kV using a rotating drum were selected to continue the study. The fibers morphology was analyzed with scanning electron microscopy and their diameters were measured using ImageJ software. An alkaline hydrolysis was performed to improve the interaction sites of the ES fibers and R. hymenosepalus extract. FTIR-ATR study was performed to evaluate the behavior of the PLA and PLA hydrolyzed (PLA/H) fibers and its interaction with the extract. Antioxidant release study was carried out using UV-vis spectroscopy and with this evaluation it was determined that the alkaline hydrolysis helped to control the R. hymenosepalus release rate. These results show that obtained PLA-R. hymenosepalus fibers have potential use in antioxidant release applications like wound dressings.

Resumen El método de electrohilado es ampliamente utilizado para desarrollar biomateriales útiles en medicina regenerativa. La adición de compuestos bioactivos a matrices poliméricas les confiere propiedades que fomentan su uso en aplicaciones biomédicas. En este trabajo se prepararon y caracterizaron fibras electrohiladas de Poli(ácido láctico) (PLA) adicionadas con extracto de Rumex hymenosepalus con el objetivo de obtener un material novedoso con uso potencial como apósitos para heridas. Se obtuvieron fibras utilizando distintos parámetros y se seleccionaron las fibras obtenidas utilizando un rotor con velocidad de flujo de 0.6 mL/h y 15 kV de voltaje para continuar el estudio. La morfología de las fibras se examinó por microscopia electrónica de barrido y se determinaron los diámetros promedio. Se realizó una hidrólisis alcalina para mejorar la interacción de las fibras electrohiladas y el extracto de R. hymenosepalus. El estudio FTIR-ATR permitió evaluar la interacción de las fibras de PLA y PLA hidrolizado con el extracto de R. hymenosepalus. Los resultados del estudio de liberación por espectroscopia UV-vis mostraron que la hidrólisis alcalina ayuda a controlar la velocidad liberación del R. hymenosepalus. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que las fibras PLA-R. hymenosepalus tienen posible utilidad en aplicaciones de liberación de antioxidantes como apósitos para heridas.

Abstract Electrospun nanofibers from gelatin (G), chitosan (CS), and chitosan-polyvinyl alcohol (CS-PVA) were developed by electrospinning process. Mechanical properties were determined by the tensile test, the elastic modulus values of the nanofibers were G (15.418-34.34 MPa) and CS-PVA (17.44-126.427 MPa). The morphological characterization by SEM revealed that the systems with 15% G and 6% CS-PVA showed morphological homogeneity. Structural characterization by FTIR indicated an interaction among some functional groups of the component. Thermal analysis by DSC and TGA showed degradation temperatures for G (330 °C), CS (210 °C to 370 °C), and PVA (310 °C to 420 °C). The contact angles values denoted the hydrophilic nature of the material. Finally, the antimicrobial assay proved that both 15% G and 7% PVA on the CS-PVA system presented the best antimicrobial effect. The results indicate that the electrospun nanofibers fabricated with G or CS-PVA can be used as wound healing dressings.