Bromelain-Infused Poly(vinyl alcohol)/Hydroxyethyl Cellulose Nanofibrous Scaffolds for Cancer Therapy: Fabrication, Characterization, and <i>In Vitro</i> Assessment

Nanofibrous scaffolds based on biomaterials have recently received a lot of attention due to their unique physicochemical characteristics. In this article, we disclose the encapsulation of bromelain in a poly-(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) matrix to create a new type of nanofibrous scaffold. Bromelain has been used to impart new properties to PVA/HEC nanofibrous scaffolds, such as antibacterial, antioxidant, and biocompatibility. After examining the physicochemical properties of the nanofibrous scaffolds, it was discovered that bromelain was successfully incorporated into PVA/HEC nanofibers, providing a significant morphological structure to the scaffolds. The <i>in vitro</i> release study indicated that the loaded bromelain exhibited a sustained and controlled release behavior from the PVA/HEC nanofibrous scaffolds, thereby effectively inhibiting the growth of HeLa cells, as evidenced by microscopic observations. It should be emphasized that the PVA/HEC nanofibrous scaffold containing bromelain may have a promising application for cancer therapy.