Optimization and evaluation of ciprofloxacin-loaded collagen/chitosan scaffolds for skin tissue engineering

A novel ciprofloxacin-loaded collagen–chitosan scaffold was developed for the treatment of wound using freeze drying method. The average pore size and porosity of developed scaffold was found to be around 125 µm and 91 ± 0.56%. Moreover, swelling, degradation and mechanical tests profile supported the suitability of scaffold for wound healing process. The scaffold has high degree of hemocompatibility towards the blood and promotes the growth, migration and proliferation of fibroblast. The developed scaffold exhibits antibacterial properties and was found to be efficient against the Gram-negative (E.coli) and Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria hence can be used for wound healing applications. In vivo study demonstrated that the scaffold not only escalated the tissue regeneration time but also accelerated the wound healing process compared to control. The histological studies revealed better granulation, vascularization, and remodeling of extracellular matrix along with regeneration of epidermal and dermal layer of skin. Overall, the obtained results suggested that the developed skin tissue constructs possess the enormous potential for tissue regeneration and might be a suitable biomaterial for skin tissue engineering applications.