Electrospinning of MNZ/PLGA/SF nanofibers for periodontitis

Abstract In this study, the electrospinning technique was employed to create a nanofiber membrane by stretching an organic polymer into nanofibers under a high electric field. Metronidazole (MNZ) at a concentration of 3 wt% was loaded into a poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and silk fibroin (SF)-blended nanofiber membrane. This formulation aims to achieve effective and sustained drug release, enabling the eradication of bacteria for the efficient treatment of periodontitis. Results demonstrated that SF interacted with PLGA molecules, forming dense and uniform nanofibers with a diameter of 570 nm. Excessive SF molecules tended to aggregate, leading to an increased particle size, with the interaction between MNZ and SF contributing to adhesion. The composition of MNZ, SF, and PLGA formed a physical chimera without any chemical reactions. Moreover, as the SF content increased, the tensile properties of the membrane gradually improved. Concurrently, the in vitro degradation rate increased with higher SF content. Among the various groups tested, the 3 wt% MNZ/PLGA/SF 2:1 membrane exhibited superior drug release characteristics, with 71.76% release within 24 h. This formulation demonstrated excellent antibacterial properties, indicated by a bacterial inhibition diameter of 13.5 mm, noteworthy hydrophilicity with a contact angle of 44.3°, and favorable biocompatibility. The membrane holds significant application value in regenerative engineering and drug delivery systems, showcasing substantial potential for the treatment of periodontitis.