(180bm) Berberine Loaded Burst and Sustained Release Electrospun Nanofibrous for Wound Dressing

Several natural and synthetic polymers have been investigated to develop functional wound dressing materials over the years. A good wound dressing material needs to provide a favorable environment as well prevent wound infection for a period of time. For most situations, a higher concentration of anti-microbial drug is preferred for a quick kill of bacteria adhered to wound while only low concentration of drug is required for further protection. Berberine is a traditional anti-diarrhea medicine widely used in East Asia. Current researches showed berberine has a wide range of antimicrobial effects. In our study, we successfully made a set of biphasic (burst and sustained) berberine release nanofibrous delivery systems for wound dressing. We chose berberine loaded polycaprolactone (PCL) as shell for the burst release and berberine loaded gelatin as core for the sustained release. Core-shell electrospinning technique was used to make the berberine-loaded nanofibrous mats (B-NFMs). Antimicrobial activity assessment (inhibition zone test) showed these B-NFMs have good antimicrobial activity against gram-negative bacteria E. Coli (strain 15597), gram-positive bacteria S. aureus (strain 6538) and antibiotic-resistant bacteria methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA, strain BAA-811). Contact angle test indicated that berberine can significantly increase the wettability of electrospun nanofibrous mats. Drug release curves of B-NFMs showed a prolonged release after an initial burst in all the tested groups. All data suggested the burst and sustained release B-NFM a potential ideal wound dressing material.