Waste-derived Bhetki Fish (Lates calcarifer) dermal collagen and Mn, Zn doped bioactive glass composite electrospun mats as a synergistic approach to enhance wound healing

Abstract

Critical wounds require large-scale, low-cost treatments to restore damaged tissue and function. This work aims to investigate the potential of bioactive glasses with Bhetki (Lates calcarifer) skin-derived collagen in wound healing. SDS-PAGE analysis, UV-VIS, and FTIR spectra identify the isolated Bhetki fish collagen as type 1 collagen. The collagen is subsequently mixed into bioactive glass compositions (BAG, Mn-BAG, Zn-BAG, and Mn–Zn BAG) to develop electrospun mats. FTIR and XRD characterization confirms the successful combination of collagen with bioactive glass. SEM analysis revealed homogeneous, electrospun microfibrous mats with sub-micron to micro-sized fibers, highly porous interconnected networks, and EDX-confirmed elemental composition (C, N, O, Si, Mn, Zn), indicating successful BAG matrix doping. The antibacterial activity assessment revealed the efficacy of mats containing manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), or a combination against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Cytocompatibility studies with L929 cells showed good cell proliferation. In a rabbit model, the mats, particularly the BFCol/MnZnBAG, demonstrated accelerated wound healing, with significant wound closure from 46.97% on day 3–4.77% on day 14, well-organized collagenous structures, and enhanced neovascularization as shown by CD31 positive staining. The findings suggest that these composite mats, especially the ion-doped variants, hold great promise for effective wound healing.