Preparation, biocompatibility, and antimicrobial effects of gelatin nanofibers scaffolds containing vancomycin and curcumin

Gelatin-based scaffolds containing antimicrobial materials can be used for the dual purpose of eradicating microbial agents and increasing bone tissue regeneration in the treatment of osteomyelitis. This study aimed to investigate of antibacterial and anti-biofilm effects of gelatin scaffolds containing curcumin/vancomycin against Staphylococcus aureus as well as their biocompatibility and osteogenic features. The nanocomposites, comprising gelatin, curcumin, and vancomycin, were produced using an electrospinning method. The prepared nanofiber scaffolds were studied for physicochemical characterization, antibacterial and antibiofilm properties, biocompatibility, and osteogenic properties. The scaffolds showed excellent mechanical properties and loading capacity, slow drug release pattern, and were effective in inhibiting the growth of bacteria for 21 days. A higher antibacterial and antibiofilm effect of gelatin-vancomycin/curcumin was observed than gelatin-vancomycin and gelatin-curcumin scaffolds. In vitro experiments revealed that the prepared scaffolds had favorable biocompatibility and significantly promoted the MSCs adhesion and proliferation. In summary, the scaffolds containing curcumin/vancomycin showed potential for healing bone infections caused by methicillin-resistant S. aureus. The presence of curcumin in gelatin scaffolds was significantly associated with higher antimicrobial effects, improving biocompatibility and increasing the proliferation and adhesion of MSCs.