Polymeric scaffolds incorporating plant-derived compounds, produced by electrospinning, have attracted attention in the field of skin tissue engineering. This study evaluates the sustained antioxidant activity of polycaprolactone (PCL)/gelatin nanofibers prepared by electrospinning and incorporating loaded liposomes of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a strong antibacterial and antioxidant molecule found in green tea, that significantly accelerates the wound-healing process. The morphology and the structural properties of the membranes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and FTIR spectroscopy. Results revealed that the EGCG released from PCL+gelatin nanofibers scavenges the toxic ROS species generated by exposure to either H2O2 or UV radiation and slows down the oxidation events associated with damage. This study provides the basis for development of promising nanofiber formulations containing EGCG that might enhance repair/regeneration of skin tissue.
Keywords: EGCG; electrospinning; natural antioxidant; oxidative stress; scaffolds; skin regeneration; ultraviolet radiation.