چكيده به لاتين
Skin injuries and complications are among the most common issues that cause significant problems for affected individuals. The rapid advancements in science and the dedication of researchers in recent decades have led to the swift development of therapeutic methods in this field. On the other hand, the integration of materials engineering and medical sciences has greatly contributed to the creation of scaffolds made from biocompatible materials that are compatible with the biological environment of the human body, which can bring about a significant transformation in the treatment of various skin diseases. Wound dressings are among the scaffolds that, by using appropriate biocompatible materials, can aid in the healing of various skin complications. These dressings are classified based on their functionality at the affected sites, the types of materials used in their construction, and their physical structure. Currently, advanced dressings have been developed that are capable of managing exudates and maintaining a moist wound environment, which have shown highly favorable results.
In the production of wound dressings, natural or synthetic polymers, various proteins, and other materials can be utilized. The optimal selection of biocompatible materials, based on their unique properties, is one of the critical issues that necessitates thorough attention and further research. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to characterize, formulate, and produce a protein-polymer wound dressing using the electrospinning method that can be applied for biomedical purposes and used for the healing of skin injuries. To this end, a biological protein complex, G-90, which is a macromolecular compound with glyco-lipoprotein characteristics and was extracted through several stages from the earthworm Eisenia fetida, was used along with polyethylene oxide as a polymer that could be combined with this protein.
Initially, the extracted proteins were subjected to electrophoresis using the Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) method. After several rounds of experimentation to determine the optimal conditions for electrospinning, 1.5 mg of the protein was mixed with 4% water and polyethylene oxide, and the resulting solution was subjected to electrospinning at a voltage of 20 kV. Subsequently, the necessary tests were conducted to achieve the desired physical and chemical properties of the produced nanofibers. These tests included scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging, infrared spectroscopy, tensile testing to assess mechanical properties, water vapor permeability testing, and protein release and loading assessments.
The SEM imaging results indicated that the resulting fibers were completely integrated, homogeneous, and aligned in a single direction. Given the high resistance exhibited by the nanofibers in the tensile test, it can be concluded that the produced nanofibers possess high strength, which is highly beneficial in damaged environments. Additionally, the controlled release and loading of the protein were among the other favorable properties of the obtained fibers. The water vapor permeability test results indicated that the polymer used was highly hydrophilic, which was an expected outcome.
The findings of this study suggest that the G-90 protein complex can be used as a suitable biological protein in combination with polyethylene oxide polymer for the production of nanofibers. It is certainly necessary to conduct further studies to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the produced nanofibers as wound dressings under sterile conditions in laboratory animals such as mice and rabbits.
