Applications of Electrospun Drug-Eluting Nanofibers in Wound Healing: Current and Future Perspectives

Abstract

Wounds are a consequence of disruption in the structure, integrity, or function of the skin or tissue. Once a wound is formed following mechanical or chemical damage, the process of wound healing is initiated, which involves a series of chemical signaling and cellular mechanisms that lead to regeneration and/or repair. Disruption in the healing process may result in complications; therefore, interventions to accelerate wound healing are essential. In addition to mechanical support provided by sutures and traditional wound dressings, therapeutic agents play a major role in accelerating wound healing. The medicines known to improve the rate and extent of wound healing include antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and proliferation enhancing agents. Nonetheless, the development of these agents into eluting nanofibers presents the possibility of fabricating wound dressings and sutures that provide mechanical support with the added advantage of local delivery of therapeutic agents to the site of injury. Herein, the process of wound healing, complications of wound healing, and current practices in wound healing acceleration are highlighted. Furthermore, the potential role of drug-eluting nanofibers in wound management is discussed, and lastly, the economic implications of wounds as well as future perspectives in applying fiber electrospinning in the design of wound dressings and sutures are considered and reported.

Biodegradable Electrospun Scaffolds as an Emerging Tool for Skin Wound Regeneration: A Comprehensive Review

“…Following clot formation and blood loss regulation, different chemical mediators control the inflammatory phase. Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) activates endothelial cells to produce prostaglandins, resulting in vasodilation, the breaking apart of platelets, and the formation of leukotrienes [ 22 ]. The process of exuding and cleaning up begins when the grouped platelets burst open and send out powerful chemo-attractants that draw in neutrophils, macrophages, and lymphocytes [ 10 ].…”

Study of Electrospun Membranes Composed of PCL and Tilapia-Skin Collagen with Tetracycline or Chloramphenicol in Contact with Human Skin Fibroblasts for Wound Dressing Treatment

“…Synthetic materials such as polystyrene (PS), poly­(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), polyglycolic acid (PGA), polyglycolic lactide (PLGA), polyurethane (PU), polylactic acid (PLA), and polycaprolactone (PCL) − and also materials extracted from biological resources such as silk fibroin, cellulose-based polymers, alginate, hyaluronic acid, collagen, gelatin, among others have been processed to generate fibrous matrices. These examples are only a part of the versatility of electrospinning when it comes to processing a wide range of polymers.…”

Design of biocompatible polylactic acid–polyethylene glycol combination for manufacturing biodegradable staplers

“…Globally, more than 100 million surgical procedures are performed each year. Approximately 50 million of these wounds are traumatized, and 80 percent require enclosure 1,2 …”

“…Approximately 50 million of these wounds are traumatized, and 80 percent require enclosure. 1,2 In terms of wound closure methods, staples, 3 sutures, 4,5 bandages, adhesives strips, 6 hydrogels, 7 and nanofibers can all be considered, each having their advantages and disadvantages. 8,9 For example, suturing non-linear wounds require special expertise, and the outcome is largely determined by the surgeon's expertise.…”