ANTI-INFLAMMATORY POTENTIAL OF STARCH/PVA ELECTROSPUN NANOSCAFFOLDS INCORPORATED WITH ULTRASONIC-ASSISTED, BROWN MARINE MACROALGAE (SARGASSUM WIGHTII) EXTRACT MEDIATED GREEN SYNTHESIS OF CUO NANOPARTICLES

Abstract

This study explores the anti-inflammatory efficacy of electrospun starch/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanoscaffolds embedded with copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles synthesized via a green method using Sargassum wightii extract and ultrasonic assistance. UV–Vis spectroscopy confirmed nanoparticle formation with a distinct surface plasmon resonance peak at 292 nm. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses revealed the successful incorporation of CuO into the nanofibrous matrix, indicating strong polymer-nanoparticle interactions and a semi-crystalline structure. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images displayed uniform, bead-free nanofibers with well-dispersed CuO nanoparticles, while Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) demonstrated thermal stability up to 220°C. Zeta potential and Dynamic light scattering (DLS) analyses confirmed high colloidal stability and monodispersity of CuO nanoparticles. Anti-inflammatory assessments using protein denaturation and xanthine oxidase inhibition assays revealed that the nanoscaffolds outperformed both the algal extract and CuO nanoparticles individually. These findings suggest that the synergistic integration of bioactive CuO nanoparticles into starch/PVA scaffolds enhances anti-inflammatory properties, highlighting their potential for application in inflammation-targeted biomedical therapies.