Fabrication of Bio-Composite of Piezoelectric/Myrrh Nanofiber Scaffolds for Wound Healing via Portable Gyrospun

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Polymeric monoaxial nanofibers are gaining prominence due to their numerous applications, particularly in functional scenarios such as wound management. The study successfully developed and built a special-purpose vessel and device for fabricating polymeric nanofibers. Fabrication of composite scaffolds from piezoelectric poly(vinylidenefluoride-trifluoroethylene) copolymer (PVDF-TrFE) nanofibers encapsulated with myrrh extract was investigated. Methods: The gyrospun nanofibers were characterized using SEM, EDX, FTIR, XRD, and TGA to assess the properties of the composite materials. The study also investigated the release profile of myrrh extract from the nanofibers, demonstrating its potential for sustained drug delivery. The composite's antimicrobial properties were evaluated using the disc diffusion method against various pathogenic microbes, showcasing their effectiveness. Results: It was found that an 18% (w/v) PVDF-TrFE concentration produces the best fiber mats compared to 20% and 25%, resulting in an average fiber diameter of 411 nm. Myrrh extract was added in varying amounts (10%, 15%, and 20%), with the best average fiber diameter identified at 10%, measuring 436 nm. The results indicated that the composite nanofibers were uniform, bead-free, and aligned without myrrh. The study observed a cumulative release of 79.66% myrrh over 72 h. The release profile showed an initial burst release of 46.85% within the first six hours, followed by a sustained release phase. Encapsulation efficiency was 89.8%, with a drug loading efficiency of 30%. Antibacterial activity peaked at 20% myrrh extract. S. mutans was the most sensitive pathogen to myrrh extract. Conclusions: Due to the piezoelectric effect of PVDF-TrFE and the significant antibacterial activity of myrrh, the prepared biohybrid nanofibers will open new avenues toward tissue engineering and wound healing applications.

Keywords: PVDF-TrFE; bio-composite; gyrospun; myrrh; nanofiber; piezoelectric; plant extract; wound healing.

Figure 1

The extraction process of myrrh.

Figure 2

The parts of the gyrospun (a) full view of constructed gyrospun, (b) designed model with device parts, (c) transparent view, (d) device side-view, (e) pot disassemble, (f) pot main parts, (g) pot cap dimensions, and (h) pot detailed dimensions.

Figure 3

SEM images and fiber diameter distributions of (a) 18% PVDF-TrFE, (b) 20% PVDF-TrFE, (c) 25% PVDF-TrFE, (d) PVDF-TrFE/myrrh at 10% (v/v) myrrh, (e) PVDF-TrFE/myrrh at 15% (v/v) myrrh, and (f) PVDF-TrFE/myrrh at 20% (v/v) myrrh.

Figure 4

SEM image, elemental dispersive spectrum, and elements composition percentage of (a) pure PVDF-TrFE nanofibers, a concentration of 18%, and (b) bio-composite PVDF-TrFE encapsulated with 10% (v/v) Myrrh.

Figure 5

FTIR spectra of (a) pure PVDF-TrFE nanofiber (Red circles indicate the β-phase, and blue arrows indicate the α-phase), and (b) 10%, 15%, and 20% Myrrh/PVDF-TrFE nanofibers.

Figure 6

XRD pattern graphs: (a) PVDF-TrFE, and (b) Myrrh/PVDF-TrFE scaffold. (The red curve in the XRD pattern indicates experimental data obtained during the study of PVDF-TrFE encapsulated with myrrh. The green curve depicts the background signal, which was eliminated from the experimental data to isolate the peaks. The blue curve represents the fitted data, which aids in identifying and quantifying the crystalline phases present.

Figure 7

TGA analysis of Myrrh/PVDF-TrFE scaffold.

Figure 8

Calibration curve of myrrh.

Figure 9

In vitro drug release profile of Myrrh/PVDF-TrFE nanofibrous scaffolds.

Figure 10

Antimicrobial activity assessments by disk diffusion method for PVDF-TrFE loaded with three concentrations of myrrh extract: 1 (control- PVDF-TrFE free extract), 2 (20% myrrh extract), 3 (15% myrrh extract), and 4 (10% myrrh extract), tested against five pathogenic microbes.