Fabrication and characterization of chitosan-polyvinyl alcohol-graphene oxide nanocomposite scaffold for wound healing purposes

Traditional transplant methods have been replaced by tissue engineering as a novel treatment. It involves the use of nanocomposite scaffolds with or without cells. Bacterial infection is one of interfering factors against suitable wound healing because it poses the site at risk of long-term side effects. Protection of wound from bacteria is necessary for its better recovery. Selection of appropriate materials for wound dressing is facilitated by understanding of wound healing mechanism and the compounds’ properties. Our study aimed to evaluate biological characteristics of chitosan (CS)-polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) (50:50) scaffold reinforced with graphene oxide (GO) for wound healing.

For fabrication of nanocomposites, ultrasound waves helped in better distribution of GO within the polymer matrix and scaffolds were prepared by casting method. The nanocomposite scaffolds were characterized by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to find out dispersion of GO in the polymer matrix. Biological characteristics were examined by in vitro antibacterial tests.

The scaffold reinforced with 3% (w/w) GO showed better morphological and biological properties than the others. Suitability of the scaffolds for cell proliferation was confirmed by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) cell toxicity test. Absorption (λ = 570 nm) of CS-PVA (50:50)/3% (w/w) GO scaffold increased by 84% compared to CS-PVA (50:50) scaffold. Inhibition zone of CS-PVA (50:50)/3% (w/w) GO was 18 and 20 mm for Pseudomonas aeru-ginosa and Micrococcus luteus, respectively, that was higher than the inhibition zone measured for CS-PVA (50:50) scaffold. According to cell viability result, mouse fibroblast cells (L929) could adhere on the CS-PVA (50:50)/3% (w/w) GO nanocomposite scaffold. In conclusion, GO could improve the biological properties of CS-PVA (50:50) scaffold so that the complex would be appropriate for wound healing.