A Novel Biocompatible and Biodegradable Electrospun Nanofibers Containing M. Neglectum: Antifungal Properties and In Vitro Investigation

In the present study, biocompatible nanofibers containing aqueous extracts from
Muscari neglectum (M. neglectum
) plants (produced nanofiber) were prepared and their antifungal and cytotoxicity effects were investigated. For this purpose, the extracts obtained from flowers, stem leaves, and fresh onion from
M. neglectum
were lyophilized at various concentrations. Produced nanofibers were prepared using electrospinning techniques. During the electrospinning process, two auxiliary natural polymers including gelatin and chitosan were used. After synthesis, the physicochemical properties of the nanofibers were confirmed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray energy diffraction spectroscopy (EDS or EDX), and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). The electrospun produced nanofibers have continuous and uniform structures. The cytotoxicity assay of these electrospun nanofibers were done on Human dermal fibroblast cell (HDF) and HUVEC cell (Human Umbilical Endothelial Cells) lines and results showed that nanofiber doesn’t have any toxicity to normal cell lines. For anti-fungal activity tests, the appropriate amounts of nanofibers containing
M. neglectum
were placed in media with five different fungal species utilizing two methods: disc diffusion and well diffusion.
In vitro
results showed that all electrospun nanofibers containing
M. neglectum
had strong antifungal activity against
Candida albicans, Glabrata, Parapacillus, Guillermoides, Crocus
fungi species. Our findings also showed that nanofibers containing 86.88% polyvinyl alcohol/ gelatin/ chitosan/
M. neglectum
root extract (produced nanofibers) were had better swelling and physicochemical properties and stronger antifungal activity than others (fiber formed with plant root). In a nutshell, natural nanofibers can be used as a beneficial drug delivery system.