Development of Biofunctionalized Composite Nanofibers by Electrospinning for Advanced Wound Healing Applications only

Abstract

Wound healing is a complex biological process that is often impaired due to infection, chronic diseases, and aging, leading to prolonged non-healing wounds that pose a significant clinical challenge. Conventional wound dressings such as gauze and lint are limited in their ability to maintain a moist environment and prevent microbial infection, while modern and bioactive dressings offer improved therapeutic performance. In this study, a biofunctionalized composite nanofiber dressing was developed using the electrospinning technique for advanced wound healing applications. The proposed system integrates biopolymers such as chitosan, gelatin, and curcumin, selected for their complementary properties including biocompatibility, structural support, antimicrobial activity, anti-inflammatory effects, and antioxidant behavior. The electrospun nanofibers closely mimic the extracellular matrix (ECM), thereby promoting enhanced cell adhesion, proliferation, and tissue regeneration. Process optimization using the OFAT method enabled the fabrication of uniform, bead-free nanofibers under optimized parameters of voltage, flow rate, and spinneret distance. Morphological analysis using SEM confirmed the formation of continuous nanofibrous structures, while FTIR spectroscopy validated the successful incorporation of bioactive compounds without undesirable chemical interactions. The results demonstrate that the developed composite nanofiber dressing provides a multifunctional platform for efficient wound healing by addressing infection control, inflammation reduction, and tissue regeneration, making it a promising candidate for next-generation biomedical wound care applications.