Polybutylene succinate-based electrospun scaffolds improving skin permeation of the antibacterial ciprofloxacin

Nanofibrous electrospun scaffolds were produced by electrospinning using polybutylene succinate (PBS), a biodegradable and biocompatible polymer, loaded with a poorly water-soluble antibacterial agent, ciprofloxacin (CPX). The morphological analysis revealed that the PBS-CPX 5 % scaffold possessed smaller average fiber sizes compared to the PBS-CPX 20 % scaffold, attributed to the higher CPX concentration. MicroCT scans demonstrated uniform morphology within the scaffold structures. Wettability studies indicated the membrane-like behavior of the scaffolds, facilitating the passage of blood components while filtering red blood cells, fostering an environment conducive to wound healing, combined with their non-hemolytic property. Dissolution studies revealed distinct release profiles, with PBS-CPX 20 % exhibiting prolonged modified release, whereas PBS-CPX 5 % facilitated the enhanced systemic circulation of CPX. Ex-vivo permeation studies on porcine skin demonstrated increased CPX permeation compared to raw CPX, showcasing the scaffold's potential for enhanced transdermal absorption. As predicted, scaffolds demonstrated great cytocompatibility, with cell viability above 90 %. Additionally, both scaffolds exhibited potent antibiofilm efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms, significantly reducing viable bacterial counts compared to controls. Overall, these findings highlight the potential of the developed scaffolds as promising drug delivery systems (DDSs) for wound healing and skin infection treatment, offering controlled drug release, enhanced transdermal absorption, and effective antibacterial activity, thereby addressing critical challenges in wound management.