Fabrication and Antimicrobial Activity of Poly(lactic acid) Nanofibers Containing Firstly Synthesized Silver Diclofenac Complex with (2-methylimidazole) for Wound Dressing Applications

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) has been widely used in the food industry and medical applications due to its excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability. It is very important that the materials used in both sectors should have antimicrobial properties. In this work, we aim to prepare antimicrobial PLA-based biocomposites which may be used as wound dressing materials. Firstly, the new silver(I)-diclofenac (dicl) complex with (2-methylimidazole) (mim) (namely [Ag(mim)2](dicl)) was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR spectroscopy, thermal analysis and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Secondly, PLA-based biocomposite fibers with varied amounts (3 wt% and 5 wt%) of [Ag(mim)2](dicl) complex were prepared by using the electrospinning method. The morphology of samples was analyzed by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Also, in vitro antibacterial activities of produced PLA-based nanofibers were investigated against different microorganisms (Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans) by using disc diffusion technique. The results showed that [Ag(mim)2](dicl) additive nanofibers exhibit highest antimicrobial activity. Based on experimental results, we suggest that these composite nanofibers can be used especially against Candida albicans in wound dressing applications. Furthermore, the combination of silver(I), dicl and mim in a single product ([Ag(mim)2](dicl)) could accelerate the healing process by providing antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory protection on the wounded skin.