In Vitro Biocompatibility and Wound Healing Potential of Bilayered Scaffold With Electrospun Gentamicin‐Loaded Pullulan/PVA/Gum Arabic Nanofibers and Solvent‐Casted PLA

Abstract

ABSTRACT Wound healing, especially for severe injuries, require dressings that absorb exudate, prevent infection, and support healing without causing trauma upon removal. Traditional single‐layered dressings often fail to balance moisture retention and protection, hindering optimal healing. To address this, a bilayered scaffold was fabricated comprising an electrospun hydrophilic sublayer of Pullulan/Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/Gum arabic blend loaded with Gentamicin and a solvent‐casted hydrophobic top layer of Polylactic acid (PLA). The hydrophilic layer was designed for direct wound contact to ease dressing removal, while the hydrophobic layer was to enhance mechanical properties, prevent moisture loss, and protect against external environment. The scaffold exhibited antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli , with controlled Gentamicin release of 93.09% ± 2.63% within 48 h, best described by the zero‐order model ( R 2 = 0.9850). It demonstrated a swelling index of 611.85% ± 15.05%, indicating its excellent exudate absorbing capacity. The water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) and porosity were 94.20 ± 14.50 g/m 2 /day and 70.56% ± 0.58%, respectively, both falling within the permissible range for wound healing. Additionally, the in vitro biocompatibility and wound healing assays conducted on human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cells confirmed its noncytotoxicity and applicability in wound dressing applications.