Elektroeğirme Tekniği ile Yeşil Nanoteknoloji Temelli Nanofiberlerin Üretimi ve Tıbbi Uygulama Alanlarının İncelenmesi

Abstract

The use of plants in the treatment of many diseases has been researched and practiced since ancient times. Plant extracts are the basis of hundreds of drugs used today. However, there are not many studies on the use of these extracts in different forms in the medical field. Many plants contain specific bioactive components that are toxic to microorganisms. Through the antimicrobial properties of various phytochemicals that plants have, such as phenol compounds, alkaloids and terpenoids, they have taken their place in the field of nanotechnology.

Using plants in the production of nanofibers by electrospinning is an emerging field. It has been observed that more effect is gained by ensuring the plants to a more stable structure with this method. Nanofibers, like all other nanomaterials, have high surface area/volume ratio, porosity, elasticity and mechanical strength, and their processability make them suitable materials for tissue engineering and drug delivery systems in nanomedicine.

In the presented doctoral thesis, the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects of plant extract based nanofibers, which have not studied much, were investigated. For this purpose, onion extracts in different concentrations were produced as nanofibers by electrospinning method. Characterization (FTIR, EDX and SEM) tests of the produced nanofibers were performed and three concentrations (1:50, 1:25 and 1:12.5) showing the best nanofiber behavior were selected according to their results. In SEM analysis, it was observed that as the onion extract concentration increased, the fiber diameters decreased (avg. 694,24nm, 529,23 nm, 525,38 nm, 422,4 nm and 377,7 nm) and the fiber morphology deteriorated.

Baicalein and propolis, which are herbal materials with known antibacterial effects, were added to the onion extract samples with selected concentrations and nanofiber production was carried out with them. In addition, AgNP-containing nanofibers were produced by precipitating AgNP in the plant extract. FTIR, EDX and SEM tests of nanofibers containing onion extract and Baicalein, propolis, AgNP were also performed. As the onion extract concentration increased in the produced AgNP nanofibers, the ribbon structure was observed and the fiber diameters increased (avg. 315,37 nm, 389,01 nm and 481,92 nm). In Baicalein-containing nanofibers, as the onion extract concentration increased, the mean fiber diameters decreased (avg. 611,25 nm, 583,57 nm and 476,47 nm). Similarly, nanofibers containing propolis decreased in diameter gradually (avg. 1179,01 nm, 731,87 nm and 729,03 nm).

Antibacterial tests against VRE and MRSA were also performed with all produced nanofibers. Onion extract samples showed a loss of 100% viability at the highest concentration (1:5). In AgNP, Baicalein and propolis samples, as the onion extract concentration increased, significant decreases in viability were observed. While the onion extract concentration was max. in AgNP containing nanofiber samples, bacteria removal rates were 97,33% for VRE and 95,17% for MRSA. In Baicalein-containing nanofiber samples, these ratios were 98,50% for VRE and 99,67% for MRSA. In propolis samples, 70,83% for VRE and 71,83% lose viability for MRSA were observed.

Therefore, successful results were obtained by performing antibacterial analyzes of onion extract in nanofiber form for the first time, and the extract increased the existing antibacterial effects of Baicalein, propolis and AgNP. The results showed that onion extract can be used alone or in combination with herbal materials in the form of nanofibers as wound dressings or grafts, especially in the medical field. It is thought that this thesis will contribute to the literature on green nanotechnology production methods and the use of plant materials in nanotechnology.

This study was supported by the 100/2000 PhD Scholarship Program of Council of Higher Education.