Histological and biological evaluation of wheat straw–derived nanocellulose in a rat model of cutaneous wound healing

Background: Healing of cutaneous wound is a complex biological process that requires the migration of fibroblasts, production of extracellular matrix (ECM) component, angiogenesis and a highly regulated expression pattern of inflammatory mediators. Owing to the interest in wound dressings based on renewable biomaterials, much attention has been paid to their biocompatibility and sustainability. Within these materials, nanocellulose features the physical and chemical properties to promote important cellular processes for tissue regeneration. Methods: = 10 per group), with macroscopic and histological assessments conducted at 3, 7, and 14 days after wounding. Results: (p = 0.0175), accompanied by increased VEGF protein secretion (p = 0.0007) without concurrent elevation of inflammatory marker IL-6 (p > 0.05). In the rat wound model, nanocellulose treatment significantly accelerated wound closure at days 3, 7, and 14 (p < 0.01-0.0001) and improved histological features of healing, including reduced inflammatory cell infiltration, more organised granulation tissue formation, enhanced angiogenesis, and earlier re-epithelialisation. Conclusion: findings demonstrate that nanocellulose is not only a renewable biomaterial but also an active biological material for use as functional wound-healing dressings.