In this work curcumin (Cur)-loaded poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL)/gum tragacanth (GT) scaffold
membranes which provided the controlled release of curcumin for over 20 days were fabricated
by electrospinning. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) analysis, Fourier
Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were
applied to characterize the produced nanofibers. These nanofibers were evaluated for water
absorption capacity, in vitro drug release, biodegradation test, cell culture and MTT analysis. The
water contact angle measurements indicated that addition of GT and curcumin in composition
resulted in increase in the hydrophilicity of the nanofibers. Biodegradation test for the fabricated
nanofibers exhibited that PCL/GT, PCL/Cur-3% and PCL/GT/Cur-3% nanofibers preserved their
structure after 15 days. The in vitro release profile of curcumin showed 6.86, 14 and 30.09% burst
release for PCL/GT/Cur-1%, PCL/GT/Cur-3% and PCL/Cur-3% nanofibers respectively. The
effect of curcumin concentration in the nanofibers composition on the cell viability was assessed
by the MTS assay. The cytotoxic effect of released curcumin on the fibroblast cells was examined.
The PCL/GT/Cur-3% with suitable mechanical properties, excellent biological characteristics, and
maintaining their original structure in degradation media may have potential application as a
wound dressing patch for healing slow rate wounds.