Jul 2026· Journal of materials chemistry. B· 0 citations
Medicine
TL;DR
Through rational core-shell design, this study integrates antioxidant and immunomodulatory functions within a single coaxially electrospun scaffold, offering a clinically translatable strategy for chronic diabetic wound repair and the comprehensive structural and functional reconstruction of skin tissue.
Abstract
Oxidative stress and immune microenvironment dysregulation are key pathological mechanisms underlying impaired wound healing, particularly in chronic non-healing wounds such as diabetic ulcers. Developing dressings that synergistically scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) while correcting aberrant immune responses is therefore of significant clinical value. Electrospun nanofibers, due to their high specific surface area and ECM-mimicking porous architecture, are promising candidates for wound repair. In this study, a biocompatible, biodegradable core-shell nanofiber scaffold (PCL-GA/SF, PGS) was fabricated via coaxial electrospinning, with a polycaprolactone (PCL) core loaded with glabridin (GA) and a silk fibroin (SF) shell. PGS exhibited a uniform, interconnected network morphology with an average diameter of 433 ± 264 nm, a tensile strength of 1.82 ± 0.13 MPa, and a water contact angle of 48.1° ± 14.2°, which was favorable for wound healing. In vitro, PGS significantly promoted L929 fibroblast adhesion and proliferation, effectively scavenged ROS, and attenuated H2O2-induced oxidative cytotoxicity. Mechanistically, PGS remodeled the local microenvironment by driving macrophage polarization from the pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype to the pro-regenerative M2 phenotype, synergistically enhancing fibroblast function. In vivo, PGS scaffolds markedly accelerated skin tissue reconstruction and promoted regeneration of cutaneous appendages, including hair follicles and sweat glands. In conclusion, through rational core-shell design, this study integrates antioxidant and immunomodulatory functions within a single coaxially electrospun scaffold, offering a clinically translatable strategy for chronic diabetic wound repair and the comprehensive structural and functional reconstruction of skin tissue.
Diabetic wound is marked by chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and poor tissue regeneration, requiring novel wound dressings. In this work, electrospun nanofibers of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) loaded with apigenin and naringenin as an effective strategy to promote diabetic wound healing have been developed. Characterization of the optimized nanofibers was performed using physicochemical, mechanical, surface, and biological methods, after which the wound healing activity of the nanofibers in a diabetic wound model induced by streptozotocin and nicotinamide was evaluated. The prepared nanofibers demonstrated a smooth structure, high content of drugs (91.2 ± 3.4% apigenin, 87.6 ± 2.8% naringenin), good mechanical stability, increased hydrophilicity (58.4 ± 2.1°), biphasic drug release pattern, high biocompatibility, and antioxidant properties. In vivo experiments revealed that the nanofibers accelerate wound healing and lead to wound closure of 96.47 ± 3.23% on day 14 along with enhanced epithelialization, collagen synthesis, and inhibition of NF-κB and TNF-α expression.
Ayusha O. Dondulkar, Satyendra K Prasad· Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology...· 0 citations
Wounds damage the skin, mucosal membranes, or underlying tissues, disrupting normal structure and function. Natural therapeutic agents, particularly plant extracts, have been widely used in wound management due to their antimicrobial and regenerative properties. Here, we report a novel multifunctional wound dressing by integrating Petroselinum crispum (parsley, PS) extract and zinc ascorbate-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) into a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibrous matrix. The resulting MOF/PS-loaded PVA nanofibers (NFs) combine biodegradability, biocompatibility, and enhanced bioactivity for wound healing. The optimized formulation (PVA/MOF5/PS30-NFs) exhibited strong antibacterial activity, with inhibition zones of ~ 250 mm², total phenolic content of 1.41 mg GAE/g, and antioxidant IC₅₀ values of 15.17 and 11.11 mg/3mL at 2 and 24 h, respectively. Cytocompatibility tests confirmed excellent cell viability (> 100%). In-vitro assays demonstrated enhanced fibroblast migration and edge contraction, with substantial wound closure after 48 h. In-vivo studies showed complete (> 100%) wound closure by day 15, surpassing controls (~ 80%), with the fastest healing trajectory and early acceleration phase observed. To our knowledge, this is the first report of this composition and application. These findings highlight MOF/PS-loaded PVA nanofibrous mats as a promising platform for advanced wound-healing therapies. Not applicable.
Shimaa Husien, Rana R. Haikal, Eman A. Khalil et al.· Journal of Biological Engine...· 0 citations
A multifunctional hydrogel patch developed by chemically modifying chitosan with N-acetylsulfonyl chloride and forming a cross-linked network with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) represents a promising multifunctional dressing for the effective management of infected wounds.
Insha Kakroo, Nayeema Gull, Insha Mehraj et al.· ACS Applied Bio Materials· 0 citations
Skin burns remain challenging in clinical treatment due to their complex wound morphology, high oxidative stress, hypoxic microenvironment, and severe inflammatory response. Developing strategies for highly effective biomaterials with precise biological functions has become an urgent priority in addressing clinical challenges. This study developed a fluffy fibrous scaffold loaded with a metal-polyphenol nanocomposite (CeLut). The scaffold possesses water-retaining capacity, three-dimensional fluffiness, and interlayer porosity, which promote cell spreading, migration, and proliferation. It is capable of sustained release of luteolin and Ce ions, efficiently scavenging ROS while modulating oxygen metabolism. These synergistic effects of physics and biomaterials science rebalance the oxidative and hypoxic microenvironment of burn wounds, significantly accelerating wound healing, promoting skin regeneration, and alleviating inflammatory responses in a mouse burn model. The results showed that within 14 days after a second-degree burn, the recovery rate of functional skin structure reached 96.3%. These findings demonstrate the therapeutic value of fluffy fibrous scaffold containing metal-polyphenol nanocomposites in promoting burn wound repair, thereby providing a new strategy for the preparation of customized multifunctional bioactive scaffolds.
Shihao Zhang, Chenxi Zhang, Xu Li et al.· Colloids and Surfaces B: Bio...· 0 citations
Diabetic wounds pose a major clinical challenge owing to their complex microenvironment and persistent inflammation. To address this issue, we engineered a multifunctional, in situ photocrosslinkable composite hydrogel (CMCSMA/F127/TPGS@α-MG) to promote wound healing. To overcome the hydrophobicity of the antimicrobial agent α-mangostin (α-MG), it was first encapsulated in F127/TPGS nanomicelles. These micelles were then integrated into a methacrylated carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCSMA) matrix, enabling rapid conformal gelation upon 405 nm light irradiation. The resulting hydrogel exhibited a biphasic sustained-release profile, excellent biocompatibility, and potent contact-killing and anti-biofilm activities against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). In an S. aureus-infected diabetic wound model, the hydrogel significantly accelerated wound closure, achieving 99.6% closure by day 14, and facilitated high-quality tissue regeneration characterized by complete re-epithelialization and orderly collagen deposition. Furthermore, an integrated approach combining network pharmacology, molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and experimental validation revealed that the therapeutic efficacy of sustained local α-MG delivery involves the modulation of the PPAR-γ pathway. This regulatory process suppresses the NF-κB/COX-2 inflammatory axis and upregulates pro-angiogenic markers, including VEGF, CD31, and α-SMA. Collectively, this dual-action platform, which synergizes physical barrier protection with targeted molecular modulation, represents a promising translational strategy for refractory diabetic wounds.
Yuan Ma, Xu Liu, Zhewen Deng et al.· International Journal of Bio...· 0 citations
The skin serves as the largest protective barrier organ of the human body and is easily impaired by trauma, infection and chronic diseases. Efficient wound dressings are indispensable for repairing infected wounds. Isochlorogenic acid A (IAA), the core active ingredient of Shanyinhua, has superior anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects. However, low water solubility and weak structural stability restrict its direct application in wound treatment. In this work, IAA@Fe(III) nanoparticles (IAA@Fe(III) NPs) were synthesized through self-assembly and loaded into cross-linked amylopectin (Amy)/carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) (AC hydrogel) to construct Amy/CMCS@NPs composite dressings. Characterizations demonstrated that nanoparticles displayed a uniform spherical shape with a size of 114.20 ± 2.29 nm and stable coordination. The hydrogel featured a dense porous structure and outstanding mechanical performance, self-healing ability, adhesion, and swelling properties. In vitro tests proved that 50 mg/mL composite hydrogel exerted nearly 100% bacteriostatic activity against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), with good biocompatibility, and enhanced cell migration capacity. In vivo assays indicated an 86.5% wound healing rate at day 7. This dressing could downregulate Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) and Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), upregulate Cluster of Differentiation 31 (CD31) and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), and accelerate wound repair. This study provides a theoretical and experimental basis for the exploitation of IAA-based wound dressings and high-value utilization of Shanyinhua resources.
Hui Li, Danli Peng, Zhijia Wang et al.· Gels· 0 citations