Co-electrospun nanofibrous membranes of collagen and zein for wound healing.

To develop biocompatible nanofibrous membranes for wound healing, we investigated the coelectrospinning of two proteins (collagen and zein) in aqueous acetic acid solution. It was found that the combination of zein could improve the electrospinnability of collagen. For the resultant electrospun membrane, its fiber diameter, surface wettability, mechanical, and in vitro degradable properties as well as cell adhesive ability could be modulated by the change of collagen/zein blending ratio. Moreover, berberine drug could be incorporated in situ into the electrospun nanofibrous membrane for its controlled release and antibacterial activity. The addition of berberine showed little effects on the fiber morphology and cell viability. In addition, the wound healing performance of the as-obtained nanofibrous membranes was examined in vivo by using female Sprague-Dawley rats and histological observation.