Mechanistic Insights Into the Regenerative Activity of a Clove-Functionalized Cellulosic Textile: Immunomodulatory, Antioxidant, and Pro-Angiogenic Effects Publisher

Summary: Can cloves improve wound dressings? In laboratory and animal tests, clove-treated cellulose reduced oxidative stress and improved wound closure, warranting further study. #WoundHealing #Biomaterials

Heydari P ; Parham S ; Asgary S ; Dana N ; Zargar Kharazi A ; Shariati L
Source: Materials Today Communications Published:2026

Abstract

Bioactive wound dressings are increasingly designed to actively regulate the inflammatory, oxidative, and regenerative processes involved in tissue repair rather than merely providing physical protection. In this study, a clove-functionalized cellulosic textile was investigated to elucidate the cellular and biochemical mechanisms underlying its regenerative activity. The incorporation efficiency and release behavior of clove-derived bioactive compounds were evaluated using UV-Vis spectroscopy, demonstrating high loading efficiency (87 ± 9%) and a sustained release profile under physiological conditions. The antioxidant potential was assessed using the DPPH radical-scavenging assay and oxidation-associated spectral analysis of wound exudates. The cytocompatibility and biological responses of L929 fibroblasts, human skin fibroblasts, RAW 264.7 macrophages, and human umbilical vein endothelial cells were evaluated using MTT assay, scratch closure assay, Matrigel-based angiogenesis assay, and cytokine analysis. The clove-functionalized textile maintained high cytocompatibility in all tested cell types while enhancing fibroblast-mediated wound closure and endothelial capillary-like network formation. Furthermore, clove functionalization modulated macrophage responses by reducing TNF-α and IL-6 secretion while increasing IL-10 and TGF-β levels, indicating a shift toward an inflammation-resolving and tissue-supportive cytokine profile. UV-Vis analysis of wound exudates revealed reduced oxidation-associated absorbance, supporting the redox-modulating potential of the dressing. In vivo evaluation in a full-thickness excisional wound model demonstrated enhanced wound closure, increasing from 52.00 ± 4.36% to 61.67 ± 2.89% on day 7 and from 73.67 ± 3.06% to 84.67 ± 3.51% on day 14 compared with the unmodified textile. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that clove functionalization transforms a conventional cellulosic textile into a multifunctional wound-contact material capable of coordinating inflammatory regulation, oxidative balance, fibroblast activity, and endothelial organization to establish a regenerative wound microenvironment. Copyright © 2026. Published by Elsevier Ltd.