Evaluation of antibacterial effect of polycaprolactane/polyvinyl alcohol nanofibers containing alcoholic extract of Scrophularia striata on imipenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Aim and Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistant to imipenem is known as one of the most important potential pathogenic microorganisms and the main cause of infection in society and hospitals in the world. Due to the increase in antibiotic resistance in the treatment of infections caused by this pathogen, it is necessary to discover new antimicrobial and antioxidant compounds. The purpose of this study is to prepare antimicrobial nanofibers based on polycaprolactone/polyvinyl alcohol and S. Striata extract. Methods: The present study was conducted on imipenem-resistant P. aeruginosa and standard P. aeruginosa ATCC27853. First, hydroalcoholic extraction was done from the S. Striata plant. The antibacterial properties of the extract were measured by broth microdilution and diffusion from the well on the studied bacteria. Nanofibers containing extract were synthesized and after performing physicochemical tests, the antibacterial properties of nanofibers were determined by disk diffusion and broth dilution methods, and the toxicity of nanofibers was determined by Hemolysis assay. Results and discussion: The results of physicochemical tests, including extract release rate, the morphology of nanofibers, and tensile behavior of nanofibers show the compatibility of these nanofibers with human skin. Microbial results showed that the extract of S. Striata has an MIC between 1.56-25.6 mg mL-1 and a MBC between 3.125-25 mg mL-1. Nanofibers containing 26% extract had a higher antibacterial effect than other nanofibers, and these nanofibers did not have toxic and hemolytic effects on blood cells. Conclusion: Based on the results obtained in this study, the produced nanofibers had an acceptable antimicrobial effect in vitro. which promises a bright future for the treatment of infected wounds caused by imipenem-resistant P.aeruginosa.