Therapeutic Potential of Mn- and Ce-Doped Bioactive Glass-Eggshell Membrane Composites in Critical Skin Wound Repair

The fabrication and use of sustainable and biocompatible wound-healing materials represent a newer approach to wound regeneration. An eggshell membrane (ESM), a naturally derived biomaterial, has a thin but permeable structure, making it suitable to be used for tissue engineering, as it can mimic the native extracellular matrix. In this study, bioactive glass (BAG) and ion-doped BAG (Mn, Ce, and Mn + Ce) were coated onto the ESM films to build four composite scaffolds: EgB, EgBMn, EgBCe, and EgBMnCe. These scaffolds were characterized by using FTIR, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and EDAX to confirm the successful incorporation of BAG and dopants onto the ESM films. In vitro biocompatibility assays using the L929 fibroblast cell line showed that all scaffolds supported cell viability, with ion-doped variants showing enhanced proliferation. Fluorescein diacetate (FDA), DAPI, and SEM studies further revealed superior cell adhesion, vitality, and intact nuclear morphology in doped scaffolds. In vivo wound healing studies in animal models exhibited accelerated wound contraction and increased collagen deposition at the wound site, particularly in EgBMn and EgBMnCe groups. These results point to the synergistic effect of ion release, and the ESM matrix creates a suitable environment conducive to tissue regeneration. Overall, ion-doped BAG-coated ESM scaffolds offer a promising and sustainable solution for advanced wound care by combining natural biomaterials with therapeutic bioactive agents.