Fabrication, characterization and wound-healing properties of core–shell SF@chitosan/ZnO/Astragalus arbusculinus gum nanofibers

Aim: Silk fibroin/chitosan/ZnO/Astragalus arbusculinus (Ast) gum fibrous scaffolds along with adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) were investigated for accelerating diabetic wound healing. Methods: Scaffolds with a core–shell structure and different compositions were synthesized using the electrospinning method. Biological in vitro investigations included antibacterial testing, cell viability analysis and cell attachment evaluation. In vivo experiments, including the chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) test, were conducted to assess wound-healing efficacy and histopathological changes. Results: The incorporation of Ast to the silk fibroin@ chitosan/ZnO scaffold improved wound healing in diabetic mice. In addition, seeding of ADSCs on the scaffold accelerated wound healing. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the designed scaffold can be useful for skin regeneration applications.