Electrospinning Fabrication of Poly(vinyl alcohol)/Coptis chinensis Extract Nanofibers for Antimicrobial Exploits

Abstract

<i>Coptis chinensis</i> (CC) is used in conventional Chinese medicine. The main active components of CC are isoquinoline alkaloids, including berberine, coptisine, palmatine, and magnoflorine; all these are known to have several pharmacological properties. Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) is a well-known synthetic biocompatible polymer suitable for a range of pharmaceutical uses; it can be used as a matrix for the incorporation of functional materials and has a wide range of applications in the cosmetics, food, pharmaceutical, and packaging industries. In this study, PVA-based electrospun nanofibers containing CC extract were successfully fabricated. Furthermore, the effects of different CC extract contents on the morphologies, and antimicrobial and antifungal properties of PVA/CC extract nanofibers were investigated. Morphological changes were observed using different molecular weights of PVA. For characterization, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and Fourier transform infrared analysis were performed. The effectiveness of these nanofibers has been demonstrated by evaluating the thermal stability against <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>, antimicrobial activity against <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> and <i>Staphylococcus epidermidis</i>, and the antifungal activity against the fungi <i>Aureobasidium pullulans</i> and <i>Penicillium pinophilum</i>. The PVA/CC extract nanofibers were found to have excellent antibacterial and antifungal activity and thermal stability; hence, their use in medicinal sectors is highly recommended.