Novel electrospun nanofibers incorporated with flavonoid glycosides from Glinus oppositifolius (L.) Aug. DC. for antibacterial dressings

Abstract

Electrospun nanofibers are non-woven fibers with diameters in nano size, produced from natural or synthetic materials or a combination of both using electrospinning apparatus. These nanofibers find usage in different fields, especially in medical research and the healthcare sector for their varied properties. Apart from the core polymers which are essential for nanofiber formation, several other bioactive ingredients are complexed in nanofiber production to add value to the end product. In this current research work, flavonoid glycosides from the medicinal plant Glinus oppositifolius were extracted, purified using column and high-performance liquid chromatographic methods and tested for their antibacterial efficiency. The bioactive compounds were then blended in the nanofiber formulation to produce nanofiber-based anti-bacterial dressings through the electrospinning technique. The nanofibers were tested through FTIR for analyzing the composition of the final product and further subjected to scanning electron microscopical analysis to study morphology and nano size. The nanofibers thus produced exhibited strong anti-bacterial activity against tested pathogens namely K. pneumonia, P. vulgaris and Streptococcus sp. The positive results showed that further research can be carried out to optimize the production and medical dressing applications of the nanofiber.