Regeneration of Full Thickness Skin Defects Using Decellularized Fish Swim Bladder Scaffolds Developed by Sapindus Mukorossi Fruit Pericarp Extract

Abstract

Decellularized tissue scaffolds are better option for the regeneration of large wounds. Fish-derived biological materials are safer than mammal-derived biological materials. Various chemicals including detergents are used in the process of decellularization which causes alteration of tissue architecture and composition. We investigated the Sapindus mukorossi fruit pericarp extract (SPE) (5%) for decellularization of the fish swim bladder (FSB). The FSB samples were incubated in 5% SPE under continuos agitation for 96h at room temperature. The processed samples were observed by histological examination, DAPI staining, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), quantification of DNA, hydroxyproline and hemocompatibility determination. Further, these decellularized FSB scaffolds were transplanted on full thickness skin wounds of group III New Zealand white rabbits. The wounds were left open in group I (Sham) and reconstructed by autograft in group II (n=6 in each group). The fresh FSB samples were completely decellularized at 72 hours interval as the decellularized tissue samples did not show any nuclei. DNA quantity was reduced (P<0.05) in decellularized samples as compared to fresh samples and FSB scaffolds were found to be hemocompatible. Complete healing was observed on day 21 in decellularized implanted wounds (group III). However, complete healing was recorded on day 28 in group II and the wounds of group I were still in the process of healing. Our results suggested that the 5% SPE solution effectively decellularized the fresh fish swim bladder at 72 h interval and the scaffolds were well tolerated by the animals.