Antimicrobial properties and biocompatibility of electrospun poly-ε-caprolactone fibrous mats containing Gymnema sylvestre leaf extract

Wound care management presents one of the substantial and tenacious challenges to the healthcare systems worldwide. Microbial colonization and subsequent biofilm formation after injury have garnered much attention, as there is an appreciable correlation between biofilms formation and delayed healing in chronic wounds. Nanotechnology has emerged as a potential platform for the management of treating acute and chronic wounds. This study presents the utility of electrospun nanofiber mats containing a natural extract (Gymnema sylvestre) that averts biofilm formation but supports human dermal fibroblasts (hDFs) attachment. The scaffolds exhibited good wettability, enhanced mechanical properties and contact mediated inhibition of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. MTS viability assay and confocal imaging further confirmed that the natural extract loaded mats remained non-cytotoxic for hDFs. Overall these findings evidenced the suitability of the Gymnema sylvestre (GS) functionalized electrospun poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) nanofibers, as an effective wound dressing with broad spectrum anti-bacterial properties.