Phase Change Material-Embedded Multifunctional Janus Nanofiber Dressing with Directional Moisture Transport, Controlled Release of Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, and Synergistic Antibacterial Properties

Abstract

Wound healing is a systematic and complex process that involves various intrinsic and extrinsic factors affecting different stages of wound repair. Therefore, multifunctional wound dressings that can modulate these factors to promote wound healing are in high demand. In this work, a multifunctional Janus electrospinning nanofiber dressing with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, controlled release of drugs, and unidirectional water transport was prepared by depositing coaxial nanofibers on a hydrophilic poly­(ε-caprolactone)@polydopamine-ε-polyl-lysine (PCL@PDA-ε-PL) nanofiber membrane. The coaxial nanofiber was loaded with the phase change material lauric acid (LA) in the shell layer and anti-inflammatory ibuprofen (IBU) in the core layer. Among them, LA with a melting point of 43 °C served as a phase change material to control the release of IBU. The phase transition of LA was induced by near-infrared (NIR) irradiation that triggered the photothermal properties of PDA. Moreover, the Janus nanofiber dressing exhibited synergistic antimicrobial properties for Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus due to the photothermal properties of PDA and antibacterial ε-PL. The prepared Janus nanofiber dressing also exhibited anti-inflammatory activity and biocompatibility. In addition, the Janus nanofiber dressing had asymmetric wettability that enabled directional water transport, thereby draining excessive wound exudate. The water vapor transmission test indicated that the Janus nanofiber dressing had good air permeability. Finally, skin wound healing evaluation in rats confirmed its efficacy in promoting wound healing. Therefore, this strategy of designing and manufacturing a multifunctional Janus nanofiber dressing had great potential in wound healing applications.

Functional electrospun nanofibers: fabrication, properties, and applications in wound-healing process

“…However, the hydrophilic-absorbent dressing made it difficult to retain the exudate, especially under pressure, and was prone to rewet the wound. Researchers electrospun hydrophobic substances onto a hydrophilic ber network to construct a self-pumping dressing with a biouid pump that unidirectionally drains excess biouid from the hydrophobic side to the hydrophilic side, preventing the biouid from wetting the wound, which is referred to as a "self-pumping dressing", 157 and has promising potential in wound exudate management. 149,150 In contrast to hydrophilic dressings, self-pumping dressings prevent rewetting of the wound while managing the wound exudate.…”

“…Additionally, a localized drug delivery system is required to inhibit multidrug resistance and mitigate more severe toxicity. 157 Nanofibers encapsulating drugs present an optimal carrier for the delivery of dual drugs, 52,131,155 without the occurrence of uncontrolled release. Furthermore, they surpass the limitations of traditional drug–polymer combinations by allowing for the placement of multiple drugs within one or two layers possessing distinct polymer, chemical and physical characteristics, thereby achieving the desired release behavior.…”