Smart Multilayer Chitosan-Based Nanofibers for Burn Wounds: Ph-Responsive Dual Release of Diclofenac Sodium & Hamamelis Virginiana Extract: From Design to in Vitro & in Vivo Evaluation Publisher Pubmed



N Mousaviejarestaghi NEGIN ; A Shaabani ALIREZA ; S Milani SHAHRIYAR ; M Motedayen MARAL ; S Maghsoudian SAMANE ; Y Fatahi YOUSEF ; Ms Razavi Malihe SADAT ; M Khanavi MAHNAZ ; N Mousaviejarestaghi NEGAR ; M Ramezani MOHAMADMEHDI
Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules Published:2025

Abstract

Burns are severe injuries with significant medical and socio-economic impacts. For this purpose, a three-layer pH-responsive nanofibrous wound dressing was developed for burn treatment using the electrospinning method. The dressing consists of an external layer of polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibers, a middle layer of hybrid PCL nanofibers and Hamamelis virginiana (HV) extract in chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol (CS/PVA) nanofibers, and an internal layer of hybrid PCL nanofibers and Diclofenac Sodium (DF) in CS/PVA nanofibers. The dressing was characterized through in vitro and in vivo analysis. The addition of DF and HV extract increased the nanofiber diameters to 170 nm and 157 nm, respectively. DF release was 63.8 % at alkaline pH, 73.7 % at neutral pH and 83.5 % at acidic pH, while HV release was 56.1 % at alkaline pH, 64 % at neutral pH and 87 % at acidic pH. All formulations maintained ≥85 % cell viability with low cellular adhesion and controlled release, suggesting potential for wound healing. Ultimately, in vivo experiments showed that HV/DF-loaded nanofibers achieved ∼98 % wound closure within 21 days, demonstrating superior healing in both visual and histological evaluations. Overall, the results suggest HV/DF-loaded nanofibers formulation as a potential treatment for burn wounds. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.