Integrating Chinese Herbs and Western Medicine for New Wound Dressings through Handheld Electrospinning

Electrospinning strategies targeting fibroblast for wound healing of diabetic foot ulcers

The high incidence and prevalence of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) present a substantial clinical and economic burden, necessitating innovative therapeutic approaches. Fibroblasts, characterized by their intrinsic cellular plasticity and multifunctional capabilities, play key roles in the pathophysiological processes underlying DFUs. Hyperglycemic conditions lead to a cascade of biochemical alterations that culminate in the dysregulation of fibroblast phenotype and function, which is the primary cause of impaired wound healing in DFUs. Biomaterials, particularly those engineered at the nanoscale, hold significant promise for enhancing DFU treatment outcomes. Electrospun nanofiber scaffolds, with their structural and compositional similarities to the natural extracellular matrix, serve as an effective substrate for fibroblast adhesion, proliferation, and migration. This review comprehensively summarizes the biological behavior of fibroblasts in DFUs and the mechanism mediating wound healing. At the same time, the mechanism of biological materials, especially electrospun nanofiber scaffolds, to improve the therapeutic effect by regulating the activity of fibroblasts was also discussed. By highlighting the latest advancements and clinical applications, we aim to provide a clear perspective on the future direction of DFU treatment strategies centered on fibroblast-targeted therapies.

Recent Advances in Electrospinning Techniques for Precise Medicine

In the realm of precise medicine, the advancement of manufacturing technologies is vital for enhancing the capabilities of medical devices such as nano/microrobots, wearable/implantable biosensors, and organ-on-chip systems, which serve to accurately acquire and analyze patients' physiopathological information and to perform patient-specific therapy. Electrospinning holds great promise in engineering materials and components for advanced medical devices, due to the demonstrated ability to advance the development of nanomaterial science. Nevertheless, challenges such as limited composition variety, uncontrollable fiber orientation, difficulties in incorporating fragile molecules and cells, and low production effectiveness hindered its further application. To overcome these challenges, advanced electrospinning techniques have been explored to manufacture functional composites, orchestrated structures, living constructs, and scale-up fabrication. This review delves into the recent advances of electrospinning techniques and underscores their potential in revolutionizing the field of precise medicine, upon introducing the fundamental information of conventional electrospinning techniques, as well as discussing the current challenges and future perspectives.

Engineered shapes using electrohydrodynamic atomization for an improved drug delivery

The shapes of micro- and nano-products have profound influences on their functional performances, which has not received sufficient attention during the past several decades. Electrohydrodynamic atomization (EHDA) techniques, mainly include electrospinning and electrospraying, are facile in manipulate their products' shapes. In this review, the shapes generated using EHDA for modifying drug release profiles are reviewed. These shapes include linear nanofibers, round micro-/nano-particles, and beads-on-a-string hybrids. They can be further divided into different kinds of sub-shapes, and can be explored for providing the desired pulsatile release, sustained release, biphasic release, delayed release, and pH-sensitive release. Additionally, the shapes resulted from the organizations of electrospun nanofibers are discussed for drug delivery, and the shapes and inner structures can be considered together for developing novel drug delivery systems. In future, the shapes and the related shape-performance relationships at nanoscale, besides the size, inner structure and the related structure-performance relationships, would further play their important roles in promoting the further developments of drug delivery field. This article is categorized under: Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies.

PAA-PU Janus Hydrogels Stabilized by Janus Particles and its Interfacial Performance During Hemostatic Processing

Hydrogel is a very promising dressing for hemostasis and wound healing due to its good adhesion and long-term moist environment. However, secondary injury caused by tissue adhesion due to homogeneous hydrogel cannot be ignored. The obvious interface existing in Janus hydrogel will weaken its asymmetric function. Here, a hierarchical adhesive polyacrylic acid-polyurushiol water-oil Janus hydrogel (JPs@PAA-PU) without adhesive layer is fabricated by one-pot method in the stabilization of polystyrene@silica-siliver Janus particles (JPs). The morphological structure, mechanical properties, anisotropic chemical composition, and adhesion performance, in vivo, and in vitro hemostatic properties of Janus hydrogel are investigated. Result shows that the obtained Janus hydrogel possesses obvious compartmentalization in microstructure, functional groups, and chemical elements. Janus hydrogel is provided with asymmetric interfacial toughness with top 52.45 ± 2.29 Kpa and bottom 7.04 ± 0.88 Kpa on porcine liver. The adhesion properties of PAA side to tissue, red blood cells and platelets, promoting effect of PU side on coagulation cascade reaction and its physical battier endow Janus hydrogel with shorter hemostatic time and less blood loss than control group. It also exhibits excellent antibacterial effects against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus (>90%). Janus hydrogel possesses biosafety, providing safety guarantee for clinical applications in the future.

Recent progress of electrospun nanofibers as burning dressings

Burns are a global public health problem, which brings great challenges to public health and the economy. Severe burns often lead to systemic infection, shock, multiple organ failure, and even death. With the increasing demand for the therapeutic effect of burn wounds, traditional dressings have been unable to meet people's needs due to their single function and many side effects. In this context, electrospinning shows a great prospect on the way to open up advanced wound dressings that promote wound repairing and prevent infection. With its large specific surface area, high porosity, and similar to natural extracellular matrix (ECM), electrospun nanofibers can load drugs and accelerate wound healing. It provides a promising solution for the treatment and management of burn wounds. This review article introduces the concept of burn and the types of electrospun nanofibers, then summarizes the polymers used in electrospun nanofiber dressings. Finally, the drugs (plant extracts, small molecule drugs and nanoparticles) loaded with electrospun burn dressings are summarized. Some promising aspects for developing commercial electrospun burn dressings are proposed.

Ziziphora clinopodioides extract-loaded chitosan/polyvinylpyrrolidone casting films for potential applications in wound dressings

Chitosan/polyvinylpyrrolidone composite films containing hydroalcoholic Ziziphora clinopodioides extract were developed and evaluated for their potential use as wound dressings. The physical and chemical properties of the films were extensively explored, including swelling capacity, mechanical properties, antimicrobial activity, and microstructural characteristics. The results showed that the addition of Ziziphora extract significantly increased the swelling capacity of the films by 561.24% to 1175% (p < 0.05). While tensile strength and Young's modulus were enhanced, elongation at the breaking point decreased with increasing volume percentages of Ziziphora extract. Variance analysis indicated no statistically significant effect on the tensile properties of the films with varying Ziziphora extract content (p < 0.05). Furthermore, films incorporated with Ziziphora extract demonstrated antimicrobial properties. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed that samples lacking Ziziphora extract had a smooth surface, while those containing the extract displayed a rough texture that may potentially accelerate the wound healing process.

Advanced postoperative tissue antiadhesive membranes enabled with electrospun nanofibers

Tissue adhesion is one of the most common postoperative complications, which is frequently accompanied by inflammation, pain, and even dyskinesia, significantly reducing the quality of life of patients. Thus, to prevent the formation of tissue adhesions, various strategies have been explored. Among these methods, placing anti-adhesion membranes over the injured site to separate the wound from surrounding tissues is a simple and prominently favored method. Recently, electrospun nanofibers have been the most frequently investigated antiadhesive membranes due to their tunable porous structure and high porosities. They not only can act as an essential barrier and functional carrier system but also allow for high permeability and nutrient transport, showing great potential for preventing tissue adhesion. Herein, we provide a short review of the most recent applications of electrospun nanofibrous antiadhesive membranes in tendons, the abdominal cavity, dural sac, pericardium, and meninges. Firstly, each section highlights the most representative examples and they are sorted based on the latest progress of related research. Moreover, the design principles, preparation strategies, overall performances, and existing problems are highlighted and evaluated. Finally, the current challenges and several future ways to develop electrospun nanofibrous antiadhesive membranes are proposed. The systematic discussion and proposed directions can shed light on ideas and guide the reasonable design of electrospun nanofibrous membranes, contributing to the development of exceptional tissue anti-adhesive materials in the foreseeable future.

Silver oxide decorated urchin-like microporous organic polymer composites as versatile antibacterial organic coating materials

Microporous organic polymers (MOPs) and metal oxide hybrid composites are considered valuable coating materials because of their versatility derived from the synergistic combination of MOPs' inherent dispersibility and the distinctive properties of metal oxides. In this study, we present the synthesis of sea-urchin-like MOPs hybridised with silver oxide nanoparticles (Ag2O NPs) to fabricate antibacterial composites suitable for potential antibacterial coating applications. Ag2O NP-decorated urchin-like MOPs (Ag2O@UMOPs) were synthesised by employing a combination of two methods: a one-pot Lewis acid-base interaction-mediated self-assembly and a straightforward impregnation process. The as-prepared Ag2O@UMOPs demonstrated high antibacterial efficacy against both E. coli (G-) and S. aureus (G+). The antibacterial mechanism of Ag2O@UMOPs mainly involved the synergistic effects of accumulation of Ag2O@UMOPs, the release of Ag+ ions, and the generation of reactive oxygen species. The exceptional processability and biosafety of Ag2O@UMOPs make them ideal organic coating materials for convenient application on various substrates. These remarkable features of Ag2O@UMOPs provide an effective platform for potential antibacterial applications in biological sciences.

Application of Electrospun Drug-Loaded Nanofibers in Cancer Therapy

In the 21st century, chemotherapy stands as a primary treatment method for prevalent diseases, yet drug resistance remains a pressing challenge. Utilizing electrospinning to support chemotherapy drugs offers sustained and controlled release methods in contrast to oral and implantable drug delivery modes, which enable localized treatment of distinct tumor types. Moreover, the core-sheath structure in electrospinning bears advantages in dual-drug loading: the core and sheath layers can carry different drugs, facilitating collaborative treatment to counter chemotherapy drug resistance. This approach minimizes patient discomfort associated with multiple-drug administration. Electrospun fibers not only transport drugs but can also integrate metal particles and targeted compounds, enabling combinations of chemotherapy with magnetic and heat therapies for comprehensive cancer treatment. This review delves into electrospinning preparation techniques and drug delivery methods tailored to various cancers, foreseeing their promising roles in cancer treatment.

Research Advances in Superabsorbent Polymers

Superabsorbent polymers are new functional polymeric materials that can absorb and retain liquids thousands of times their masses. This paper reviews the synthesis and modification methods of different superabsorbent polymers, summarizes the processing methods for different forms of superabsorbent polymers, and organizes the applications and research progress of superabsorbent polymers in industrial, agricultural, and biomedical industries. Synthetic polymers like polyacrylic acid, polyacrylamide, polyacrylonitrile, and polyvinyl alcohol exhibit superior water absorption properties compared to natural polymers such as cellulose, chitosan, and starch, but they also do not degrade easily. Consequently, it is often necessary to modify synthetic polymers or graft superabsorbent functional groups onto natural polymers, and then crosslink them to balance the properties of material. Compared to the widely used superabsorbent nanoparticles, research on superabsorbent fibers and gels is on the rise, and they are particularly notable in biomedical fields like drug delivery, wound dressing, and tissue engineering.

Enhancing diabetic wound healing: advances in electrospun scaffolds from pathogenesis to therapeutic applications

Diabetic wounds are a significant subset of chronic wounds characterized by elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and reactive oxygen species (ROS). They are also associated with impaired angiogenesis, persistent infection, and a high likelihood of hospitalization, leading to a substantial economic burden for patients. In severe cases, amputation or even mortality may occur. Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a common complication of diabetes, with up to 25% of diabetic patients being at risk of developing foot ulcers over their lifetime, and more than 70% ultimately requiring amputation. Electrospun scaffolds exhibit a structural similarity to the extracellular matrix (ECM), promoting the adhesion, growth, and migration of fibroblasts, thereby facilitating the formation of new skin tissue at the wound site. The composition and size of electrospun scaffolds can be easily adjusted, enabling controlled drug release through fiber structure modifications. The porous nature of these scaffolds facilitates gas exchange and the absorption of wound exudate. Furthermore, the fiber surface can be readily modified to impart specific functionalities, making electrospinning nanofiber scaffolds highly promising for the treatment of diabetic wounds. This article provides a concise overview of the healing process in normal wounds and the pathological mechanisms underlying diabetic wounds, including complications such as diabetic foot ulcers. It also explores the advantages of electrospinning nanofiber scaffolds in diabetic wound treatment. Additionally, it summarizes findings from various studies on the use of different types of nanofiber scaffolds for diabetic wounds and reviews methods of drug loading onto nanofiber scaffolds. These advancements broaden the horizon for effectively treating diabetic wounds.

A combined electrohydrodynamic atomization method for preparing nanofiber/microparticle hybrid medicines

Bacterial prostatitis is a challenging condition to treat with traditional dosage forms. Physicians often prescribe a variety of dosage forms with different administration methods, which fail to provide an efficient and convenient mode of drug delivery. The aim of this work was to develop a new type of hybrid material incorporating both electrosprayed core-shell microparticles and electrospun nanofibers. A traditional Chinese medicine (Ningmitai, NMT) and a Western medicine (ciprofloxacin, CIP) were co-encapsulated within this material and were designed to be released in a separately controlled manner. Utilizing polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as a hydrophilic filament-forming polymer and pH-sensitive Eudragit® S100 (ES100) as the particulate polymeric matrix, a combined electrohydrodynamic atomization (EHDA) method comprising coaxial electrospraying and blending electrospinning, was used to create the hybrids in a single-step and straightforward manner. A series of characterization methods were conducted to analyze both the working process and its final products. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy revealed that the EHDA hybrids comprised of both CIP-PVP nanofibers and NMT-ES100 core-shell microparticles. Multiple methods confirmed the rapid release of CIP and the sustained release of NMT. The antibacterial experiments indicated that the hybrids exhibited a more potent antibacterial effect against Escherichia coli dh5α and Bacillus subtilis Wb800 than either the separate nanofibers or microparticles. The amalgamation of fibrous nanomedicine and particulate micromedicine can expand the horizon of new types of medicines. The integration of electrospinning and coaxial electrospraying provides a straightforward approach to fabrication. By combining hydrophilic soluble polymers and pH-sensitive polymers in the hybrids, we can ensure the separate sequential controlled release of CIP and NMT for a potential synergistic and convenient therapy for bacterial prostatitis.

How can Electrospinning Further Service Well for Pharmaceutical Researches?

The past two decades have witnessed the enormous success and progress of electrospinning, as well as its broad and useful applications in pharmaceutics as a laboratory pharmaceutical nanotechnology. Everything in the past is a preface, in which the large screen opens for electrospinning and electrospun nanofibers (particularly those multiple-fluid electrospinning processes and the related multiple-chamber nanostructures) to stride into a new stage and the real commercial applications. In this commentary, four hot regions are identified for the further progress of the applications of electrospinning in pharmaceutics, in which electrospinning and its products can provide more and better services to the development of pharmaceutics.

Tri-Layer Core-Shell Fibers from Coaxial Electrospinning for a Modified Release of Metronidazole

Polymers are the backbone of drug delivery. Electrospinning has greatly enriched the strategies that have been explored for developing novel drug delivery systems using polymers during the past two decades. In this study, four different kinds of polymers, i.e., the water-soluble polymer poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA), the insoluble polymer poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), the insoluble polymer Eudragit RL100 (ERL100) and the pH-sensitive polymer Eudragit S100 (ES100) were successfully converted into types of tri-layer tri-polymer core-shell fibers through bi-fluid coaxial electrospinning. During the coaxial process, the model drug metronidazole (MTD) was loaded into the shell working fluid, which was an emulsion. The micro-formation mechanism of the tri-layer core-shell fibers from the coaxial emulsion electrospinning was proposed. Scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope evaluations verified the linear morphology of the resultant fibers and their obvious tri-layer multiple-chamber structures. X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy measurements demonstrated that the drug MTD presented in the fibers in an amorphous state and was compatible with the three polymeric matrices. In vitro dissolution tests verified that the three kinds of polymer could act in a synergistic manner for a prolonged sustained-release profile of MTD in the gut. The drug controlled-release mechanisms were suggested in detail. The protocols reported here pioneer a new route for creating a tri-layer core-shell structure from both aqueous and organic solvents, and a new strategy for developing advanced drug delivery systems with sophisticated drug controlled-release profiles.

Electrosprayed Core (Cellulose Acetate)-Shell (Polyvinylpyrrolidone) Nanoparticles for Smart Acetaminophen Delivery

Smart drug delivery, through which the drug molecules are delivered according to the requests of human biological rhythms or by maximizing drug therapeutic effects, is highly desired in pharmaceutics. Many biomacromolecules have been exploited for this application in the past few decades, both in industry and laboratories. Biphasic release, with an intentional pulsatile release and a following extended release stage, represents a typical smart drug delivery approach, which aims to provide fast therapeutic action and a long time period of effective blood drug concentration to the patients. In this study, based on the use of a well-known biomacromolecule, i.e., cellulose acetate (CA), as the drug (acetaminophen, ATP)-based sustained release carrier, a modified coaxial electrospraying process was developed to fabricate a new kind of core-shell nanoparticle. The nanoparticles were able to furnish a pulsatile release of ATP due to the shell polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). The time cost for a release of 30% was 0.32 h, whereas the core-shell particles were able to provide a 30.84-h sustained release of the 90% loaded ATP. The scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope results verified in terms of their round surface morphologies and the obvious core-shell double-chamber structures. ATP presented in both the core and shell sections in an amorphous state owing to its fine compatibility with CA and PVP. The controlled release mechanisms of ATP were suggested. The disclosed biomacromolecule-based process-structure-performance relationship can shed light on how to develop new sorts of advanced nano drug delivery systems.

Electrosprayed Stearic-Acid-Coated Ethylcellulose Microparticles for an Improved Sustained Release of Anticancer Drug

Sustained release is highly desired for "efficacious, safe and convenient" drug delivery, particularly for those anticancer drug molecules with toxicity. In this study, a modified coaxial electrospraying process was developed to coat a hydrophobic lipid, i.e., stearic acid (SA), on composites composed of the anticancer drug tamoxifen citrate (TC) and insoluble polymeric matrix ethylcellulose (EC). Compared with the electrosprayed TC-EC composite microparticles M1, the electrosprayed SA-coated hybrid microparticles M2 were able to provide an improved TC sustained-release profile. The 30% and 90% loaded drug sustained-release time periods were extended to 3.21 h and 19.43 h for M2, respectively, which were significantly longer than those provided by M1 (0.88 h and 9.98 h, respectively). The morphology, inner structure, physical state, and compatibility of the components of the particles M1 and M2 were disclosed through SEM, TEM, XRD, and FTIR. Based on the analyses, the drug sustained-release mechanism of multiple factors co-acting for microparticles M2 is suggested, which include the reasonable selections and organizations of lipid and polymeric excipient, the blank SA shell drug loading, the regularly round shape, and also the high density. The reported protocols pioneered a brand-new manner for developing sustained drug delivery hybrids through a combination of insoluble cellulose gels and lipid using modified coaxial electrospraying.