Production and characterization of biocompatible nanofibrous scaffolds made of β-sitosterol loaded polyvinyl alcohol/tragacanth gum composites

Abstract

Electrospun polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and tragacanth gum (TG) were used to develop nanofibrous scaffolds containing poorly water-soluble β-Sitosterol (β-S). Different concentrations and ratios of the polymeric composite including β-S (10% w v−1) in PVA (8% w v−1) combined with TG (0.5 and 1% w v−1) were prepared and electrospun. The synthesis method includes four electrospinning parameters of solution concentration, feeding rate, voltage, and distance of the collector to the tip of the needle, which are independently optimized to achieve uniform nanofibers with a desirable mean diameter for cell culture. The collected nanofibers were characterized by SEM, FTIR, and XRD measurements. A contact angle measurement described the hydrophilicity of the scaffold. MTT test was carried out on the obtained nanofibers containing L929 normal fibroblast cells. The mechanical strength, porosity, and deterioration of the scaffolds were well discussed. The mean nanofiber diameters ranged from 63 ± 20 nm to 97 ± 46 nm. The nanofibers loaded with β-S were freely soluble in water and displayed a remarkable biocompatible nature. The cultured cells illustrated sheet-like stretched growth morphology and penetrated the nanofibrous pores of the PVA/β-S/TG scaffolds. The dissolution was related to submicron-level recrystallization of β-S with sufficient conditions for culturing L929 cells. It was concluded that electrospinning is a promising technique for poorly water-soluble β-S formulations that could be used in biomedical applications.

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