Characterization and Performance Evaluation of Silk Fibroin/Polylactic Acid Composite Nanofiber Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering and Wound Healing

Afzali, Maede; Mirhosseini, Mahboubeh; Nikukar, Habib; Molla Hoseini, Hosein; Sadeghian-Nodoushan, Fatemeh; Mazaheri, Fahime; Moshrefi, Mojgan

doi:10.48309/ijabbr.2026.2063133.1619

Characterization and Performance Evaluation of Silk Fibroin/Polylactic Acid Composite Nanofiber Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering and Wound Healing

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Maede Afzali ¹^{, 2}

Mahboubeh Mirhosseini ¹

Habib Nikukar ³^{, 4}

Hosein Molla Hoseini ⁵

Fatemeh Sadeghian-Nodoushan ³^{, 4}

Fahime Mazaheri ³^{, 4}

Mojgan Moshrefi ³^{, 4}

¹ Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran

² Department of Tissue Engineering, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

³ Biotechnology Research Center, Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran

⁴ School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, I. R. Iran

⁵ District 1, Yazd education and training organization, Yazd, Iran

https://doi.org/10.48309/ijabbr.2026.2063133.1619

Abstract

Nanofiber scaffolds constructed from both natural and synthetic polymers represent highly advantageous materials within the domains of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Combining silk fibroin (SF) with poly (lactic acid) (PLA) can potentially enhance biocompatibility, mechanical properties, and wound healing capabilities, making these composites suitable for skin regeneration applications. This study investigated composite nanofibers made from varying ratios of SF and PLA, using electrospinning techniques. The scaffolds were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to elucidate their morphological characteristics and chemical composition. Methanol management was employed to modify crystallinity. Wettability was assessed via water contact angle measurements. Biological behavior was evaluated using fibroblast adhesion, spreading, and proliferation assays. SEM was also used to observe cell morphology and filopodia formation. Macroscopic and histological analyses assessed skin wound healing in vivo SEM images demonstrated uniform nanofibers without beads, and FTIR confirmed successful fabrication with changes in crystallinity after methanol treatment. Higher SF content reduced the water contact angle, indicating increased hydrophilicity. Fibroblasts showed enhanced adhesion, spreading, and proliferation on SF/PLA-70/30 scaffolds, especially after methanol treatment, with increased filopodia indicating better attachment. In vivo studies revealed that scaffolds with higher PLA content (SF/PLA-30/70 and SF/PLA-50/50) significantly accelerated skin wound healing and tissue regeneration. The combination of SF and PLA in nanofiber scaffolds improves cell attachment, proliferation, and skin healing, demonstrating their potential in tissue engineering. This study highlights the promising application of SF/PLA composites for skin regeneration and regenerative medicine, emphasizing their role in enhancing wound repair processes.

Graphical Abstract

Characterization and Performance Evaluation of Silk Fibroin/Polylactic Acid Composite Nanofiber Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering and Wound Healing

Keywords

biomaterials

Human fibroblasts

scaffolds

In vivo experiments

electrospinning techniques

regenerative medicine

Subjects

Nanotechnology

OPEN ACCESS

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