A biomimetic electrospun collagen/chitosan nanofiber membrane for topical delivery of tranexamic acid.

Abstract

Biopolymeric nanofibers are crucial in tissue engineering, providing structural support and cell attachment. Electrospun membranes have shown potential in treating various wounds, including vascular injuries that require rapid hemostasis. In this study, a collagen (Coll)/chitosan (CTS) nanofiber membrane was fabricated via electrospinning for the topical delivery of tranexamic acid (TXA), an antifibrinolytic and first-aid agent. A key methodological innovation was the use of a non-cytotoxic PBS (1×):ethanol solvent system, ensuring biocompatibility of the final material. Collagen was extracted from bovine tendons through alkaline hydrolysis, achieving a 40% yield. FTIR spectra confirmed the presence of Type I and Type V collagen. The CTS/Coll fibers exhibited an average diameter of 127 ± 17 nm, while fibers loaded with 40 mg/ml TXA reached 375 ± 129 nm, with the drug uniformly distributed and a particle size of 105 ± 21 nm. FTIR analysis revealed electrostatic interactions between amino and hydroxyl groups of the polymers without disrupting the Coll triple helix; TXA interacted through its hydroxyl and amino groups. The TXA-loaded membrane showed a 5% increase in swelling index compared to the pure membrane. BET isotherms indicated a mesoporous structure (32.40 nm pore size), decreasing to 29.18 nm after drug incorporation. Drug release followed the Korsmeyer-Peppas model, indicating diffusion-controlled behavior. The membrane demonstrated excellent biocompatibility, timely biodegradation, and antibacterial activity. These results position the Coll/CTS nanofiber membrane as an efficient TXA delivery platform for advanced wound treatment and emergency hemorrhage control.