Agrimonia Eupatoria L.-Incorporated Electrospun Nanofibers and Cotton Composite for Antibacterial Wound Dressing Applications

Abstract

Composite wound dressings which combine the suitable properties of distinct materials into one dressing are currently being explored, in combination with different types of bioactive compounds, to enhance the healing process and avoid skin infections. In the present work, poly(vinyl alcohol) and chitosan nanofibers containing Agrimonia eupatoria L. were fabricated using a needleless electrospinning method (through Nanospider technology) and deposited on top of a 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO)-oxidized cotton textile dressing. The negatively charged carboxyl groups on the cotton fibers interacted with the positively charged amino groups of chitosan, which was previously blended with poly(vinyl alcohol) and Agrimonia eupatoria L. to produce the nanofiber layer. The properties of the produced composite materials were analyzed to determine the dressing’s potential for antimicrobial wound dressing applications. Keywords: cotton, textile dressing, electrospun nanofibers, Agrimonia eupatoria L., antibacterial composite wound dressings