Multifunctional Micro/Nanofiber Based‐Dressing Patch with Healing, Protection, and Monitoring Capabilities for Advanced Wound Care

Abstract

Considerable efforts have been devoted to developing wound dressings with various functions, including rapid cell proliferation, protection against infection, and wound state monitoring to minimize severe pain and the risks of wound‐caused secondary infections. However, it remains challenging to diagnose wound conditions and achieve integration of the above functions without specialized equipment and expertise in wound care. This study describes an electrospun composite micro/nanofiber‐based bilayer‐dressing patch comprising a healing‐support layer (hyaluronic acid, gelatin, and dexpanthenol) and a protective/monitoring layer (curcumin and polycaprolactone). The improved cell regeneration function and biocompatibility of the healing‐support layer enable rapid healing, as evidenced by the expedited growth of fibroblasts. The superior antimicrobial properties (against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus) and visible color changes within the pH range of wound lesions (pH 6–9) of the protective/monitoring layer make the dressing suitable for advanced wound care. The wounds inflicted on BALB/c mice heal rapidly (12 days) without scars while the wound state can be diagnosed by the change in color of the dressing patch. The multifunctional wound dressing patch developed in this study is expected to promote wound healing and monitor wound state; thus, facilitating convenient wound management.

Engineered Robust Hydrophobic/Hydrophilic Nanofibrous Scaffolds with Drug-Eluting, Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Capacity

“…A linear response with a high sensitivity (slope) is perceived in the whole range of studied pH, particularly for LVC. Such color-changing behavior suggests that the multifunctional wound dressings in this work would outperform some previously reported designs of smart wound patches based on curcumin. , …”

“…Halochromic dyes with discernible colors in acidic and alkaline environments can be implemented for colorimetric detection of pH. It is known that the chemical structure of curcumin changes with pH due to keto–enol tautomerism, a phenomenon that endows curcumin-loaded nanofibers with pH-responsiveness. , It is important to modify the characteristics of curcumin-loaded constructs so that a wide color change with regard to varying pH values is acquired. In addition, the capability to quantify the variations of the pH and to collect the reliable, interpretable, and reproducible data enables the transmission and analysis of vital signs for telemedicine purpose .…”

“…Such colorchanging behavior suggests that the multifunctional wound dressings in this work would outperform some previously reported designs of smart wound patches based on curcumin. 36,37…”

“…It has garnered increasing attention in TE thanks to its excellent antioxidant properties, anti-inflammatory activity, ability to block tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), promotion of granulation tissue formation and re-epithelialization, and potential to hinder microorganisms’ growth . Furthermore, the pH-responsive color change of curcumin broadens its application for real-time monitoring of the wound healing process, enabling the development of smart wound management. ,− Notwithstanding, the extremely poor water solubility (with reported values ranging from 11 to 600 ng·ml –1 ), low stability, and insufficient bioavailability of curcumin have limited its performance. , To address these challenges, researchers have proposed modifying the characteristics of curcumin through nanoformulation, emulsification, surface modification/functionalization, conjugation, and complexation. − Incorporating lipophilic curcumin into a suitable hydrophilic polymer is expected to enhance its bioactivity and release in practice, , particularly in the wound area. Nonetheless, controlling the release of this drug remains a subject of extensive research. ,, …”

A wearable colorimetric sweat pH sensor-based smart textile for health state diagnosis

“…S6, ESI †). 38,39 The chemical structure of curcumin affects the absorption and reflection of light, allowing pH to be distinguished by color. Consequently, utilizing the color change of C-TPU/F, pH may be distinguished from the naked eye.…”