Development of mandelic acid-loaded electrospun nanofibers as a wound dressing material

Wound dressing has been used since ancient times to support healing, and advancements in technology have led to more effective and sophisticated dressings that improve patient outcomes. Electrospun nanofibers (ESNFs) are highly versatile materials capable of functional modification, making them ideal for developing novel applications, with a primary focus on biomedical use. In this study, a nonwoven nanofiber mat was produced composed of polystyrene/polylactic acid (PS/PLA) using electrospinning and was loaded with mandelic acid (MA). The impact of varying chemical composition on surface morphology and water absorption capacity was analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), contact angles, and swelling ratio measurements. Cell viability tests and antibacterial activity of PS/PLA/MA were investigated through in vitro cell culture and antibacterial assays. MA-loaded PS/PLA ESNFs were prepared in two different ways. First, MA was added to the PS/PLA solution and electrospinning was performed to prepare PS/PLA/MA. In the second method, PS/PLA ESNFs were prepared by electrospinning and MA loading was done by postmodification to prepare PS/PLA/MAmod. MA release profiles, effects on cell viability and antimicrobial properties of both nanofibers were compared. PS/PLA/MA nanofibers showed zones of inhibition for S. aureus, E. coli, and P. aeruginosa with diameters of 2.0, 2.1, and 2.2 mm, respectively. When PS/PLA/MAmod was applied, an inhibition zone was observed only against S. aureus, and it was a 5.0 mm diameter. When the effects of nanofibers prepared by both methods on skin keratinocyte cells (HaCaT) were tested, no negative effects on cell viability were observed after 24 h. Our results indicate that MA-loaded PS/PLA ESNFs show promising potential for biomedical applications, particularly as wound dressings.