Abstract: Corneal diseases, the second leading cause of global vision loss affecting over 10.5 million people, underscores the unmet demand for corneal tissue replacements. Given the scarcity of fresh donor corneas and the associated risks of immune rejection, corneal tissue engineering becomes imperative. Developing nanofibrous scaffolds that mimic the natural corneal structure is crucial for creating transparent and mechanically robust corneal equivalents in tissue engineering. Herein, Aloe Vera Extract (AVE)/Polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibrous scaffolds were primed using electrospinning. The electrospun AVE/PCL fibers exhibit a smooth, bead-free morphology with a mean diameter of approximately 340±95 nm and appropriate light transparency. Mechanical measurements reveal Young’s modulus and ultimate tensile strength values of around 3.34 MPa and 4.58 MPa, respectively, within the range of stromal tissue. In addition, cell viability of AVE/PCL fibers was measured against Human Stromal Keratocyte Cells (HSKCs), and improved cell viability was observed. The cell-fiber interactions were investigated using scanning electron microscopy. In conclusion, the incorporation of Aloe Vera Extract enhances the mechanical, optical, hydrophilic, and biological properties of PCL fibers, positioning PCL/AVE fiber scaffolds as promising candidates for corneal stromal regeneration.

Key words: Corneal stromal regeneration · Aloe vera extract · Polycaprolactone · Electrospinning