Title : Development and characterization of dual-functional nanofibrous dressing system for burn wound management
Abstract:
Introduction: Burn wound management remains a considerable clinical challenge, particularly in cases where rapid tissue regeneration, effective infection control, and the prevention of excessive scar formation are required. Disruption of the skin barrier markedly increases the risk of microbial colonization, while prolonged inflammation and delayed re-epithelialization may contribute to impaired healing and pathological scar formation, including hypertrophic scars and keloids. Advanced wound dressings capable of simultaneously providing local antimicrobial protection and supporting tissue-regenerative processes may therefore offer substantial therapeutic benefits. Electrospun nanofibrous systems are particularly promising for this purpose because their highly porous structure, large surface-area-to-volume ratio, and extracellular matrix-like architecture can facilitate exudate management, cell attachment, gas exchange, and the controlled local delivery of bioactive compounds.
Aim: The aim of this study was to develop and characterize a dual-functional, poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)-based nanofibrous wound dressing system designed to address complementary requirements of burn wound healing. The system combined a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent intended to reduce the risk of local microbial contamination with a pro-regenerative amino acid-based component associated with nitric oxide production, collagen synthesis, and tissue repair.
Methods: Complementary nanofibrous formulations were prepared by electrospinning using modified PVA-based systems. A PVA–tetraethyl orthosilicate (PVA-TEOS) matrix was used to incorporate the regeneration-supporting component, while a PVA-chitosan blend served as the carrier for the antimicrobial component. Precursor compositions and electrospinning parameters were optimized to obtain continuous and homogeneous fibrous structures. The morphology and fiber diameter distribution of the nanofibrous mats were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. Physicochemical characteristics and potential interactions between the polymer matrices and the incorporated components were investigated using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Solid-state characteristics were further examined by X-ray diffraction. In vitro release studies were conducted under controlled conditions to compare the release behavior of the two functional components.
Results: The optimized formulations produced uniform, continuous, and predominantly bead-free nanofibrous structures with fiber diameter distributions suitable for wound-dressing applications. The selected polymer systems demonstrated appropriate electrospinnability and enabled the incorporation of both functional components without adversely affecting the overall fibrous morphology. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopic analysis confirmed the presence of the incorporated components within the corresponding polymer matrices and indicated intermolecular interactions between the active compounds and the modified PVA-based carrier systems. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed a substantial reduction in the crystallinity of the incorporated components, suggesting their predominantly amorphous dispersion within the nanofibrous matrices. The in vitro dissolution studies revealed distinct release profiles for the two functional components. The antimicrobial component was rapidly released from the PVA–chitosan nanofibrous matrix, supporting its early local availability. In contrast, the regeneration-supporting component exhibited slower and more prolonged release from the PVA–TEOS nanofibrous matrix, indicating its suitability for sustained local delivery.
Conclusion: The developed dual-functional nanofibrous systems exhibited favorable structural characteristics and distinct in vitro release profiles. The antimicrobial component showed rapid release, while the regeneration-supporting component was released more gradually. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of function-specific drug delivery from the developed nanofibrous matrices.
