Electrospun captopril-loadedPCL-carbon quantum dots nanocomposite scaffold: Fabrication, characterization, and in vitro studies

Abstract

Electrospinning as an effective and accessible method is known to yield scaffolds with desired physical, chemical, and biological properties for tissue engineering. In the present study, captopril (CP)-loaded polycaprolactone (PCL)/carbon quantum dots (CQDs) nanocomposite scaffolds were fabricated for bone tissue regeneration. The microstructure and hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity ratio of scaffolds were assessed by scanning electron microscopy and wettability test, respectively. The results showed that the presence of CQDs and CP in the scaffolds decreased the fiber diameter (1180 +/- 281.5-345 +/- 110 nm) and also it led to an increase in the surface hydrophilicity (137 degrees-0 degrees) of scaffolds. Evaluation of the scaffolds' functional groups was performed using Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy. The ultimate tensile strength of scaffolds was in the range of 6.86 +/- 0.00 to 22.09 +/- 0.06 MPa. Distribution of CQDs in the scaffolds' fibers was investigated by transmission electron microscopy and fluorescent spectrometer. The cell viability, attachment, proliferation, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of scaffolds were assessed in vitro. Based on the overall results, the scaffold containing CQDs and CP led to a significant increase in the cells' proliferation and ALP activity. Therefore, the PCL/CQDs/CP is recommended as a potential nanocomposite scaffold for bone tissue regeneration.