Poly (Lactic Acid) Electrospun Fibers Loaded With Rumex Hymenosepalus Extract: Preparation And Characterization

Electrospinning method is widely used to develop biomaterials useful in regenerative medicine. The addition of bioactive compounds to a polymeric matrix provides properties that promote its use in biomedical applications. In this work poly(lactic acid) (PLA) electrospun (ES) fibers loaded with Rumex hymenosepalus extract were prepared and characterized with the aim of obtained a novelty material for potential wound dressings applications. ES PLA fibers were obtained using parameter variations and fibers obtained with a flow rate of 0.6 mL/h and voltage of 15 kV using a rotating drum were selected to continue the study. The fibers morphology was analyzed with scanning electron microscopy and their diameters were measured using ImageJ software. An alkaline hydrolysis was performed to improve the interaction sites of the ES fibers and R. hymenosepalus extract. FTIR-ATR study was performed to evaluate the behavior of the PLA and PLA hydrolyzed (PLA/H) fibers and its interaction with the extract. Antioxidant release study was carried out using UV-vis spectroscopy and with this evaluation it was determined that the alkaline hydrolysis helped to control the R. hymenosepalus release rate. These results show that obtained PLA-R. hymenosepalus fibers have potential use in antioxidant release applications like wound dressings.