In Vitro Assessment of Electrospun PVP+AgNPs Scaffolds for Bioactive Medical Use

Chronic wounds and post-operative complications generate significant biomedical challenges due to impaired tissue regeneration and persistent microbial infections, often aggravated by biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance. To address these issues, this study investigates the development and in vitro evaluation of electrospun polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) scaffolds embedded with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), designed as multifunctional bioactive platforms for wound healing and implant applications. AgNPs were synthesized and uniformly incorporated into the PVP matrix using optimized electrospinning parameters, harnessing their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties alongside the hydrophilicity, biocompatibility, and chemical stability of PVP. Structural and mechanical characterization, including Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), homogenous nanoparticle dispersion, and favorable mechanical properties, such as Young’s modulus. In vitro cytotoxicity assays with fibroblast cell lines demonstrated good biocompatibility, while antibiofilm activity against Staphylococcus aureus revealed significant microbial inhibition. Overall, electrospun PVP+AgNPs scaffolds demonstrate strong potential as multifunctional biomaterials for wound healing and implant coating due to their synergistic capacity to support tissue regeneration and inhibit infection. These promising results highlight the need for further in vitro and in vivo investigation to confirm their therapeutic efficacy, biocompatibility, and long-term stability in physiological environments.