Graphene Oxide/Gelatin Nanofibrous Scaffolds Loaded with N-Acetyl Cysteine for Promoting Wound Healing

PURPOSE: We aimed to develop an antioxidant dressing material with pro-angiogenic potential that could promote wound healing. Gelatin (Gel) was selected to improve the biocompatibility of the scaffolds, while graphene oxide (GO) was added to enhance their mechanical property. The loaded N-Acetyl cysteine (NAC) was performing the effect of scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) at the wound site. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The physicochemical and mechanical properties, NAC releases, and biocompatibility of the NAC-GO-Gel scaffolds were evaluated in vitro. The regeneration capability of the scaffolds was systemically investigated in vivo using the excisional wound-splinting model in mice. RESULTS: The NAC-GO-Gel scaffold had a stronger mechanical property and sustainer NAC release ability than the single Gel scaffold, which resulted in a better capacity for cell proliferation and migration. Mice wound-splinting models revealed that the NAC-GO-Gel scaffold effectively accelerated wound healing, promoted re-epithelialization, enhanced neovascularization, and reduced scar formation. CONCLUSION: The NAC-GO-Gel scaffold not only promotes wound healing but also reduces scar formation, showing a great potential application for the repair of skin defects.