Zein-modified ethyl cellulose scaffolds with controlled doxycycline release and biocompatibility via a portable electrospinning device

Electrospun fibrous scaffolds have gained attention as wound dressings owing to their extracellular matrix-like structure and drug delivery capability. In this study, doxycycline (Doxy)-loaded membranes were fabricated from ethyl cellulose (EC) and zein (EZ) using ethanol-based electrospinning. Zein was incorporated to improve the limited drug release of EC and enhance antibacterial activity. The scaffolds exhibited smooth, uniform morphology, with fiber diameters decreasing upon Doxy addition and further reduction observed in zein-containing samples. FTIR confirmed the incorporation of Doxy and zein, while water contact angle analysis showed lower values in EZ-Doxy samples (104.47° ±1.44, 100.47° ±0.60, 98.07° ±1.94) compared with EC-Doxy samples (110.08° ±0.54, 102.96° ±1.78, 103.47° ±1.81), indicating increased hydrophilicity. Drug release studies revealed a higher initial burst in EZ-Doxy groups, with ∼20 % greater release within 24 h. Antibacterial assays demonstrated stronger inhibition by EZ-Doxy scaffolds against E. coli and S. aureus, with inhibition against S. aureus increased by ∼30 %. Moreover, CCK-8 assays confirmed 1.5–2-fold higher cell viability in EZ-Doxy groups, particularly on day 3. These results demonstrate that Doxy-loaded EZ fibrous scaffolds produced by portable ethanol-based electrospinning are promising wound dressings with enhanced drug release, antibacterial activity, and biocompatibility.