Design and in vivo evaluation of alginate-based pH-sensing electrospun wound dressing containing anthocyanins

In this study, a pH-sensing electrospun mat containing purple cabbage (PC) (Brassica oleracea) anthocyanins was developed for wound dressing application. The pH-sensing electrospun mat was prepared from sodium alginate (Alg) and poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) via electrospinning. PC anthocyanins were embedded into the electrospun mat with the addition of PC extract into the Alg/PVA electrospun solution. The characterization studies were conducted by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), water contact angle (WCA) and thickness measurements. The halochromic behavior of the pH-sensing Alg/PVA/PC electrospun mat was elucidated via UV-Vis spectrophotometric analyses and color measurements obtained from quantitative color data. In vivo performance of the pH-sensing mat was evaluated by animal studies. The electrospun mat was successfully used to monitor pH changes of an open wound. In addition, wound healing efficacy of the electrospun mat was compared with a commercial wound dressing. The results revealed that a wound dressing benefiting from halochromic properties of the anthocyanins besides wound healing efficacy of Alg was successfully developed. The pH-sensing Alg/PVA/PC electrospun mat has a usage potential for wound dressing applications especially for monitoring wound status on real-time during healing period.