Novel poly(ε-caprolactone)/amino-functionalized tannin electrospun membranes as scaffolds for tissue engineering.

Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) is a hydrophobic and cytocompatible aliphatic polyester that has been used to produce PCL-based nanofibrous for both wound healing and tissue repair. However, the high hydrophobicity and low water adsorptive have been challenges for developing PCL-based materials for use in tissue engineering field. Here, we report a new polymer (a hydrophilic amino-functionalized tannin (TN)) that is associated with PCL for developing PCL-TN blends at different PCL:TN weight ratios (100:0, 95:5, 85:15 and 78:22). PCL:TN ratio may be tuned to modulate hydrophilicity and cytocompatibility of the nanofibers. The neutralization step and surface wettability played an important role in the attachment of human adipose-derived stem cells (ADSC cells) on PCL-TN membranes. Also, fluorescence images confirmed great proliferation of ADSC cells on the PCL-TN electrospun surfaces. Yet, neutralized PCL-TN nanofibers promoted bactericidal activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These membranes have potential to be used as scaffolds for tissue engineering purposes.