# Propolis-Loaded Poly(lactic-co-glycolic Acid) Nanofibers: An In Vitro Study

## TL;DR

This study explores using propolis-loaded nanofibers for wound healing, showing antimicrobial and biocompatible properties.

## Contribution

The first in vitro evaluation of wound closure properties of propolis-loaded PLGA nanofibers.

## Key findings

- PLGA nanofibers loaded with propolis showed high antimicrobial activity against S. aureus and C. albicans.
- Propolis-loaded nanofibers were biocompatible with human fibroblast cells.
- The nanofibers supported wound closure through cell migration and proliferation.

## Abstract

Nanofibers have high potential through their high porosity,
small
pore sizes, lightweight materials, and their ability to mimic the
extracellular matrix structure for use in the manufacture of wound
dressings for wound treatment. In this study, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanofibers were produced by electrospinning.
Propolis was loaded into the PLGA nanofibers by the dropping method.
The average diameters and effects of propolis loading on the morphology
of 37.5, 50, and 100% propolis-loaded PLGA nanofibers (PLGA-P37.5,
PLGA-P50, and PLGA-P100) were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy
(SEM). The successful loading of propolis into PLGA nanofibers was
confirmed with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. In vitro propolis release was examined at physiological
pH. The antioxidant activity of propolis-loaded nanofibers was studied
with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Antimicrobial activities
of the nanofibers against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans strains were determined by the disk
diffusion method. Consequently, PLGA-P50 and PLGA-P100 showed high
antimicrobial activity on S. aureus and C. albicans. Cell viability was
tested by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide
(MTT) assay, and propolis-loaded PLGA nanofibers were found to be
biocompatible with human fibroblast cells. In the wound scratch assay,
propolis-loaded nanofibers supported wound closure with cell migration
and proliferation. Thus, in vitro wound closure properties
of propolis-loaded PLGA nanofibers were evaluated for the first time
in the literature.