Novel Electrospun Organic–Inorganic Hybrid Scaffold From Pcl, Gelatin, and Bioglass 58 S -Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles for Skin Tissue Engineering Publisher

Summary: Can bioactive nanofibers accelerate wound healing? Rat experiments found 92% closure with a cerium-glass dressing versus about 61% with gauze. #WoundHealing #Biomaterials

Vaez A ; Zamani S ; Daredeh S H ; Kolarijani N R ; Alizadeh M ; Arabpour Z ; Sharifianjazi F ; Djalilian A R ; Salehi M
Source: Polymer Bulletin Published:2026

Abstract

This study incorporated cerium-doped 58 S bioactive glass (58SBG-Ce) nanoparticles into poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL)/gelatin nanofibers to develop and evaluate a potential wound dressing agent. Nanofibers were produced by electrospinning a solution of PCL and gelatin in a 1:1 (w/w) ratio, which also included 58SBG-Ce. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to assess the morphology of the nanofibers. The nanofibers were evaluated for contact angle, hemolysis, water absorption, tensile strength, water vapor transmission rate, antibacterial activity, and cell toxicity. Additionally, the nanofibers were tested on full-thickness dermal wounds in a Wistar rat model, with tissue samples examined using hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining. The results indicated that the 58SBG-Ce nanoparticles were uniformly distributed in the nanofibrous scaffold with a smooth unbranched morphology and a fiber diameter of ~ 500 nm. The average diameters were 624.3 ± 79.2 and 483.9 ± 51.5 nm for PCL/gelatin and PCL/gelatin/BG58S-10%Ce, respectively. The mechanical property tests showed that the nanofibers had promising properties similar to human skin. Scaffolds containing 58SBG-Ce nanoparticles showed significant antibacterial effects against both gram-negative and gram-positive pathogens, good blood compatibility, and no cytotoxicity at tested concentrations. Nanofiber composite with 58SBG-10% Ce nanoparticles were selected as the best dressing for an in vivo full-thickness excisional wound study in Wistar rats. The results showed that the closure rate of wounds treated with PCL/Gelatin/58SBGs 10% Ce was significantly higher after 14 days compared to the sterile gauze control, which exhibited a closure rate of around 61%. The dressing exhibited an impressive closure rate of nearly 92%, demonstrating its effectiveness as a therapeutic option. This research provides evidence for the potential use of cerium oxide-doped 58 S bioactive glass nanoparticles (58SBG-Ce) in wound dressings, highlighting their non-cytotoxicity, blood compatibility, suitable mechanical properties for skin tissue engineering, antibacterial activity, and therapeutic benefits. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2026.