Smart Nanofibers in Wound Healing: Exploring Novel Combinations and Applications

Abstract: Due to certain limitations of traditional therapies, millions of people all over the world suffering from chronic wounds are exploring new treatments. As single-layer nanofibers cannot meet different wound surface needs, multifunctional nanofibers with drug combinations surpass the limitation of conventional drug-polymer combinations. Traditional wound therapies have several limitations, prompting the search for more effective alternatives, particularly for chronic wounds. Singlelayer nanofibers often fail to meet diverse wound-healing needs, whereas multifunctional nanofibers, incorporating drug combinations, overcome these limitations. Polymers, widely used in nanofiber formulations, exhibit immunostimulatory, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, enhancing the woundhealing process. However, due to a lack of certain biological properties, researchers have formed hybrid polymers, which are a combination of natural and synthetic polymers to meet wound healing requirements. Despite their advantages in biocompatibility and tunable mechanical properties, the clinical translation of polymer-based nanofibers faces challenges in regulatory approval and largescale production. Most studies are still limited to in vitro evaluations, and standardized in vivo models or human trials are necessary to validate their long-term efficacy. Additionally, to meet FDA and DRAP guidelines, these materials must undergo rigorous biodegradation and cytotoxicity assessments before clinical adoption. Owing to several bioactive components (e.g., vitamins, polyphenols) in structures of herbal extract, they have excellent anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. Nanofibrous scaffolds of herbal extracts are in prominence and can have a multi-target synergistic impact. Among several treatments for repairing wounds, growth factors have also been proven as an effective treatment for active healing. This review will provide the researchers with a holistic view of recently reported novel multifunctional nanofibers composed of different combinations of drugs, polymers, herbal extracts, growth factors, and biomolecules to promote wound healing. Although several multifunctional nanofibers have been prepared and shown excellent properties for wound healing therapy, still development of multifunctional nanofibers still needs to be focused on. In a nutshell, multifunctional nanofibers have become very famous in the wound healing process, and a better scale-up of these nanofibers in the coming era will result in commercialization, and products of these nanofibers will become more popular.