Dual Drug Release from Gelatin/PLGA Core-Shell Fibers for Diabetic Neuropathic Wound Healing

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common chronic diseases affecting many people around the world. One of the most common complications of diabetes is diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP), which affects about 10-26% of diabetic patients. In this research, the gelatin/poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) core-shell fibers containing gabapentin (GBP) and ciprofloxacin hydrochloride (CipHCl) are fabricated via coaxial electrospinning for healing of diabetic neuropathic wounds. The core-shell structure of fibers is confirmed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and fluorescence microscopy. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is utilized to explore the morphology of core-shell fibers, revealing the smaller diameter for core-shell fibers containing CipHCl and GBP compared to the core-shell fibers without the drugs. X-ray diffraction (XRD) represents the amorphous distribution of drugs inside the core-shell fibers, which is also confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Core-shell fibers containing CipHCl and GBP show strong antimicrobial properties against both Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria. The in vitro drug release studies demonstrate the sustained release of CipHCl and GBP within 64 days from the core-shell fibers. In conclusion, the fabricated core-shell fibers show a great promise to be utilized as an efficient dressing for diabetic neuropathic wounds.