Electrospun composite nanofibers for wound healing: synthesis, characterization, and clinical potential of biopolymer-based materials

The recent advancements in nanotechnology have significantly impacted wound healing, particularly through the development of electrospun nanofibers (NFs). This review summarizes research on electrospun NFs made from chitosan, gelatin, curcumin, and rutin, focusing on their potential for wound healing applications. Chitosan is noted for its antimicrobial and biocompatible properties, gelatin for its excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability, and curcumin and rutin for their strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Electrospinning is employed to produce these NFs with controlled diameters and morphologies. This review discusses the preparation methods, optimal electrospinning parameters, and challenges like solution viscosity and environmental conditions. It also includes an assessment of NFs using SEM, TEM, FTIR, XRD, tensile testing, and DSC to evaluate morphology, chemical composition, mechanical and thermal properties, and biodegradability. In vitro and in vivo testing evaluate the NFs' wound healing efficacy, including biocompatibility, antimicrobial activity, hemocompatibility, and wound closure rates in animal models. The review highlights that NF combining chitosan, gelatin, curcumin, and rutin show enhanced wound healing due to their synergistic properties, which promote cell proliferation, reduce inflammation, and prevent infection. Despite promising results, challenges in optimizing the synthesis process and ensuring consistent clinical performance remain. Further research is needed to address these challenges and advance the clinical application of these NFs. This review aims to guide future research and contribute to the development of more effective wound-healing therapies.