Electrospun Bilayer Membranes Carrying Bearberry/Licorice Extract to Ameliorate Wound Healing

Trauma, burns, and chronic illnesses cause non-healing wounds or defective healing, leading to scar formation due to excessive fibrosis, disordered collagen, and hyperpigmentation. The conventional single layered gauze dressings and composite dressings have limited advantages. Therefore, the advanced green alternative dressings need to be explored for non-toxic antibacterial and fast wound healing process. The present study focuses on the development of highly compatible PLA-PHBV bilayer electrospun (ES) membrane dressings. The membranes were surface-functionalized/coated with chitosan polymer and pure plant extracts (bearberry leaf extract) (BE) and (licorice root extract) (LE). The presence of flavonoids and terpenoids in the extracts was confirmed using FTIR and GC–MS analyses. The coated ES bilayer membranes were characterized using SEM, contact angle measurements, drug release profile, antibacterial analysis, biocompatibility, and wound healing assays. The results suggest that coated ES membranes are hydrophilic and can carry and release the extracts in a dose-dependent manner. These characteristics increased the regenerative potential of ES membranes as shown by in vitro cell cultures and significantly activated wound healing studied by in vitro fibroblast cultures compared to the non-coated control ES bilayer membranes. Moreover, the modified membranes had antibacterial potential as studied utilizing S. aureus and E. coli bacteria. These bilayer ES membranes carrying plant extracts can be used to heal and regenerate lost tissues in various applications, and may also be effective against hyperpigmentation during healing. Further molecular analyses and in vivo tests may prove their effectiveness against scars and hyperpigmentation. Graphical Abstract