Bi-layered disulfiram-loaded fiber membranes with antibacterial properties for wound dressing

In this study, the bi-layered disulfiram-loaded fiber membranes with the antibacterial activity and different surface wettabilities are prepared using electrospinning technology. In the application of wound dressing, the hydrophilic surface of fiber membranes is beneficial for cell adhesion and drug release to heal the wound. Meanwhile, the outside hydrophobic surface is able to block water penetration to reduce the probability of wound infection. The obtained bi-layered drug-loaded fiber membranes are composed of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) bottom surface and disulfiram (DSF)/polylactic acid (PLA) top surface. To modify the top surface wettability, the oxygen plasma modification of bi-layered membranes was carried out. The morphology, wettability, and chemical compositions of bi-layered drug-loaded fiber membranes were analyzed using the scanning electronic microscope (SEM), drop shape analysis instrument, X-ray diffractometer (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectrometer (XPS). The bi-layered disulfiram-loaded membranes showed the potent antibacterial activity in vitro against both Escherichia coli (Gram-negative) and Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive). It was found that the bi-layered membranes had good biocompatibility with L929 cells. Thus, the obtained bi-layered disulfiram-loaded fiber membranes are suitable for wound dressing application.