Electrospun polyvinyl alcohol-polyvinyl pyrrolidone nanofibrous membranes for interactive wound dressing application

Abstract

Cross-linked polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) composite nanofibrous membranes have been prepared by electrospinning. Mechanical properties of the membranes improved significantly with PVP addition. PVP improved hydrophilicity and sustainable degradation of the membranes. Biocompatibility of the membranes was assessed by in vitro culture of native skin cells (L929 fibroblast and HaCaT keratinocytes). Tests showed sustained release of the antibiotic ciprofloxacin hydrochloride monohydrate by the membranes. Further, zone of inhibition study against Staphylococcus aureus growth demonstrated protective action against external pathogenic microbes. These studies show these simple PVA–PVP nanofibrous membranes are promising interactive antibiotic-eluting wound dressing materials.

Keywords:

• Electrospinning
• polyvinyl alcohol
• polyvinyl pyrrolidone
• wound dressings
• antimicrobial
• cell affinity

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Department of Atomic Energy (2010/34/54/BRNS), Department of Biotechnology (BT/505/NE/TBP/2013 and BT/IN/Sweden/38/BBM/2013) and Department of Science and Technology (SB/FT/LS-213/2012), Government of India, for financially supporting this work. High end instrument support received from Central Instruments Facility, IIT Guwahati is gratefully acknowledged.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.