Journal of Institute of Science and Technology, 25(2), 9-16 (2020) ISSN: 2469-9062 (print), 2467-9240 (e) Doi: https://doi.org/10.3126/jist.v25i2.33724 © IOST, Tribhuvan University Research Article ANTIBACTERIAL CINNAMON ESSENTIAL OIL INCORPORATED POLY(Ɛ−CAPROLACTONE) NANOFIBROUS MATS: NEW PLATFORM FOR BIOMEDICAL APPLICATION Surakshya Phaiju 1 , Purnima Mulmi 2 , Dikpal Kumar Shahi 3 , Tae In Hwang 4 , Arjun Prasad Tiwari 5 , Rajendra Joshi 6 , Hem Raj Pant 2 , Mahesh Kumar Joshi 1* 1 Department of Chemistry, Tri-Chandra Multiple Campus, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal 2 Department of Applied Sciences, Pulchowk Campus, Tribhuvan University, Lalitpur, Nepal 3 Central Department of Chemistry, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal 4 Department of Bionanosystem Engineering, Jeonbuk National University, South Korea 5 Carbon Nano Convergence Technology Center for Next Generation Engineers, Jeonbuk National University, South Korea 6 Department of Chemical science and Chemical Engineering, Kathmandu University, Kavre, Nepal * Corresponding author: mahesh.joshi@trc.tu.edu.np, joshimj2003@gmail.com (Received: October 20, 2020; Revised: November 20, 2020; Accepted: November 21, 2020) ABSTRACT Wound healing is a complex process and prevention of wound infection is crucial for wound care as colonization of bacteria delays the healing process. For rapid healing, the wound dressing should have an antibacterial property and biocompatible. Herein, we proposed the use of cinnamon essential oil, a natural antimicrobial agents, incorporated electrospun poly(ɛ-caprolactone) (PCL) fibrous dressings. The wound dressing scaffolds were successfully prepared by electrospinning of the blend solution of poly(ɛ -caprolactone (PCL) with different concentrations of cinnamon essential oil. The mats were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis. FESEM results revealed that the incorporation of cinnamon oil generated the membrane with fine fibers along with nanofibers compared to uniformly distribute the nanofibers for pristine PCL. Experimental results of cell viability assay and microscopy imaging showed that the as-fabricated composite wound dressing scaffold exhibited excellent cell viability for fibroblast (NIH-3T3) cells. The antimicrobial activity of the composite scaffold was assessed from the zone of inhibition against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Results indicated that the fibrous mats inhibited the growth of Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative bacteria- Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa showing high antibacterial activity. Overall, our results concluded that the introduced scaffold might be an ideal biomaterial for wound dressing applications. Keywords: Cinnamon essential oil, Electrospinning, Nanofiber, Polycaprolactone, Wound dressing. INTRODUCTION Skin is an intricate structure consisting of a high cellular epidermis and relatively cellular dermis of collagen-rich extracellular matrix (ECM) (Flanagan, 2013; Zhong et al., 2010). The detriment of the skin integrity caused by physical, mechanical, thermal, or chemical factors, enfeebling the skin functions like protection, homeostasis, sensory detection, and self-healing is termed as wound (Zahedi et al., 2010). Damage at the epidermal layer can be healed by re-epithelization whereas partial or complete damage of dermal layers cannot be adequately healed by the body or significantly delay the healing process. In such condition, proper dressing material with antibacterial properties is required (Chong et al., 2007). Dressing plays an important role in protection against the possible contagion and amps up growth factors for rapid wound healing. Moreover, dressing material should provide a suitable environment by allowing gaseous exchange and diffusion of waste and nutrients. Thus, biocompatible, biodegradable, non-toxic, non-allergic, non-sensitizing, non-adherent, and cost-effective dressing is preferred (Hilton et al., 2004; Zahedi et al., 2010). During ancient times, honey paste, plant fibers, animal fats were used to cover the wounds and protect them from infections (Dhivya et al., 2015). However, in recent times many modern dressings use different natural and synthetic biopolymers with antibiotics and metal ions like zinc, copper, and silver incorporated (Maharjan et al., 2017; Pant et al., 2018). Furthermore, biodegradable synthetic polymers such as polylactic acid (PLA), poly lactic-co- glycolic acid (PLGA) and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), loaded with natural agents like essential oils are under study for wound dressing properties (Unalan et al., 2019; Zhang et al., 2017). PCL is a member of aliphatic polyester having a low melting point and good compatibility with excellent processability (Tiwari et al., 2019; Tiwari et al., 2016). Being economic and having proper mechanical strength, PCL-based scaffolds has been widely studied for dressing applications (Estellés et al.,