Electrospun composite membranes of ethyl cellulose and MXene (Ti3C2Tx): Biocompatible platforms for enhanced drug delivery and antibacterial wound healing

Tharnthip Krasian; Donraporn Daranarong; Winita Punyodom; Kiattikhun Manokruang; Runglawan Somsunan; Pensak Jantrawut; Tanpong Chaiwarit; Pattaraporn Panraksa; Kittisak Jantanasakulwong; Pornchai Rachtanapun; Patnarin Worajittiphon

doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.138596

Electrospun composite membranes of ethyl cellulose and MXene (Ti₃C₂T_x): Biocompatible platforms for enhanced drug delivery and antibacterial wound healing

Int J Biol Macromol. 2024 Dec 9:287:138596. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.138596. Online ahead of print.

Affiliations

¹ Office of Research Administration, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry (PERCH-CIC), Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.
² Multidisciplinary Research Institute, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; Center of Excellence in Materials Science and Technology, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.
³ Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry (PERCH-CIC), Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; Center of Excellence in Materials Science and Technology, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.
⁴ Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; Center of Excellence in Materials Science and Technology, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.
⁵ Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; Center of Excellence in Agro Bio-Circular-Green Industry (Agro BCG), Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand.
⁶ Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.
⁷ Center of Excellence in Materials Science and Technology, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; Center of Excellence in Agro Bio-Circular-Green Industry (Agro BCG), Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand; Division of Packaging Technology, Faculty of Agro-Industry, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand.
⁸ Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry (PERCH-CIC), Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; Center of Excellence in Materials Science and Technology, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 39662568
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.138596

Abstract

Ethyl cellulose (EC), a degradable cellulose derivative, served as a primary component in membranes fabricated by electrospinning for in vitro drug delivery applications. An effective strategy to enhance drug release was incorporating high-surface-area nanomaterials into polymeric drug carriers, which facilitated drug attachment to both the polymer matrix and additive surfaces, promoting release. MXene (Ti₃C₂T_x) demonstrated promising potential in improving tensile mechanical properties, antibacterial activity, and curcumin (Cur) release performance of EC membrane. Compared to Cur-loaded EC/MXene membranes, the toughness of Cur-loaded EC-based carriers significantly increased by 53.58 %, reaching 3.821 kJ/m³. This composite membrane exhibited exceptional antibacterial efficacy, notably reducing Staphylococcus aureus colonies by 52.4 × 10⁷ CFU/mL after 168 h, through the dilution spread plate method. Using MTT assay, the composite membrane demonstrated biocompatibility, as evidenced by >70 % viability of mouse fibroblast L929 cells with observable cell attachment after 168 h. Importantly, the EC/MXene membrane achieved a Cur release amount of 69.82 % compared to 7.11 % from Cur-loaded EC membranes within 168 h, representing a 62.71 % enhancement in Cur release. The EC/MXene composite membrane is a promising drug delivery candidate, particularly for Cur, by utilizing the sustainability of EC as the primary drug carrier component.

Keywords: Biocompatibility; Drug carrier; Drug delivery; Ethyl cellulose; MXene.