Synthesis and characterization of novel nanocomposite scaffold for corneal applications

Abstract

Healing of corneal epithelial layer wounds is a challenging task. Lack of appropriate treatment or prolonged exposure of wound to the outer environment can cause infections or permanent corneal blindness. A biomaterial with corneal epithelial wound healing properties is of great interest. Due to high demand, a nanofibrous bilayer scaffold with incorporated nanofiller was synthesized via electrospinning and characterized. First layer of scaffold was composed of poly(ɛ-caprolactone) fibers with dispersed graphene oxide in the matrix. Non- cytotoxic dispersed mounts 0.3mg and 0.6 mg of graphene oxide (GO) were added to polycaprolactone (PCL) layer as a nano-regenerative medicine in addition to Ofloxacin to aid rapid wound recovery. Gelatin nanofibers were electrospun onto PCL/GO nanofibers to achieve a bilayer wound healing assembly. Four different compositions of scaffolds with two non-cytotoxic amounts of GO were prepared. Characterization techniques including FTIR, SEM, swelling, XRD, wettability and cell viability or cytotoxicity were used to find out structural and biological properties of nanofibrous scaffold. Results revealed that bilayer scaffolds of PGOGOFL0.6 with diameter of 81.609 ±31.776nm have low surface energy of 43.7 mN/m. So, these scaffolds were non-toxic, biocompatible, have uniformity and enough hydrophilicity to designate them ideal for cellular adhesion, proliferation and growth for ocular wound healing applications.