A Portable, Sprayable, Highly Malleable, Elastic, and Hydrophobic Antibacterial Fibrous Wound Dressing for Infected Wound Healing

Polymer Chemistry Nanoscience Infectious Diseases Organic Polymeric Materials Chemistry Materials Science Life Sciences Bioengineering Medicine
wound dressing antibacterial hydrophobic malleability solution blow spinning infected wound wound healing

Academic Background

Wound infection is a significant concern for patients and healthcare professionals worldwide, particularly in the management of severe wounds. Inappropriate dressings can increase the risk of infection, prolong healing time, and even lead to higher mortality rates and economic burdens. Traditional wound dressings, such as gauze and band-aids, although widely used, have several limitations. For instance, gauze can result in excessive blood loss and restrict movement in areas like the hands, while band-aids lack breathability and can cause moisture accumulation in the wound area after sweating, increasing the risk of infection. Therefore, the development of a novel wound dressing that effectively prevents infection while offering good breathability, stretchability, and water resistance has become a key focus of current research.

In recent years, nanofiber and microfiber membranes have been recognized for their significant potential in wound repair due to their softness and excellent deformation capabilities. However, traditional electrospinning techniques, although capable of producing fibrous dressings, involve complex processes and high-voltage electric fields that may impair the activity of bioactive molecules. As a result, researchers have begun exploring alternative fiber fabrication techniques to overcome these limitations.

Source of the Paper

This paper was co-authored by Liangpei Zhang, Yutong Yang, Jiaxin Wang, Hui Zhang, Zhong Zhang, and Baolin Guo, who are affiliated with institutions such as Peking University, Xi’an Jiaotong University, and the University of Science and Technology of China. The study was published in 2024 in the journal Advanced Fiber Materials, titled A Portable, Sprayable, Highly Malleable, Elastic, and Hydrophobic Antibacterial Fibrous Wound Dressing for Infected Wound Healing.

Research Process

1. Material Preparation

The researchers employed the solution blow spinning technique to fabricate a fibrous membrane based on hydrogenated styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS), incorporating silver (Ag) or titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles to enhance its antibacterial properties. SEBS is a thermoplastic elastomer known for its excellent biocompatibility and flexibility, commonly used in the production of electronic skin. The researchers dissolved SEBS in cyclohexane and sprayed it onto the wound surface using a spray gun to form a tightly fitting fibrous membrane.

2. Morphological and Performance Characterization

The morphology of the fibrous membrane was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), revealing a well-defined fiber structure with nanoparticles successfully embedded within the fibers. Contact angle tests demonstrated that the SEBS fibrous membrane exhibited superhydrophobicity, with a contact angle exceeding 150°. Additionally, the membrane showed excellent breathability and mechanical properties, capable of adapting to significant skin deformations.

3. Antibacterial Performance Testing

The researchers evaluated the antibacterial efficacy of the fibrous membrane against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Escherichia coli (E. coli). The results indicated that the SEBS fibrous membrane incorporating Ag nanoparticles achieved inhibition rates of 89.3% and 82.7% against MRSA and E. coli, respectively, demonstrating significant antibacterial effects.

4. Biocompatibility Testing

The biocompatibility of the fibrous membrane was assessed through in vitro culture of L929 fibroblasts. The results showed that the membrane had no significant impact on cell growth and proliferation, indicating its excellent biocompatibility.

5. In Vivo Wound Healing Experiment

The researchers established a full-thickness skin defect model infected with MRSA on the backs of mice and compared the wound healing effects of the SEBS fibrous membrane, SEBS-Ag fibrous membrane, and a commercial Tegaderm™ film. The results demonstrated that the SEBS-Ag fibrous membrane significantly reduced infection, accelerated wound closure, and promoted collagen deposition and angiogenesis, outperforming other dressings in therapeutic efficacy.

Key Results

  1. Fiber Membrane Preparation and Morphology: The SEBS fibrous membrane was successfully prepared using the solution blow spinning technique, with SEM images showing a clear fiber structure and uniform distribution of nanoparticles on the fiber surface.
  2. Hydrophobicity and Breathability: The SEBS fibrous membrane exhibited superhydrophobicity, with a contact angle exceeding 150°, and demonstrated excellent breathability, effectively preventing blood penetration.
  3. Antibacterial Performance: The SEBS-Ag fibrous membrane showed significant antibacterial effects against MRSA and E. coli, with inhibition rates reaching 89.3% and 82.7%, respectively.
  4. Biocompatibility: L929 fibroblasts grew well on the fibrous membrane, indicating its excellent biocompatibility.
  5. In Vivo Wound Healing: In the mouse model, the SEBS-Ag fibrous membrane significantly accelerated the healing of MRSA-infected wounds, reduced inflammatory responses, and promoted angiogenesis and collagen deposition.

Conclusion

This study successfully developed a novel SEBS-based fibrous wound dressing using the solution blow spinning technique. The dressing exhibited excellent hydrophobicity, breathability, stretchability, and antibacterial properties. Particularly, the incorporation of Ag nanoparticles resulted in significant antibacterial effects against MRSA and E. coli, effectively accelerating the healing of infected wounds. The dressing’s preparation process is simple, does not require a high-voltage electric field, and can be quickly sprayed onto the wound surface, demonstrating broad application prospects.

Research Highlights

  1. Innovative Fabrication Technique: The use of solution blow spinning to prepare the fibrous membrane overcomes the limitations of traditional electrospinning techniques and improves production efficiency.
  2. Excellent Comprehensive Performance: The SEBS fibrous membrane not only exhibits superhydrophobicity and good breathability but also demonstrates outstanding mechanical properties and antibacterial effects.
  3. Significant Wound Healing Efficacy: In the animal model, the SEBS-Ag fibrous membrane significantly accelerated the healing of MRSA-infected wounds, reduced inflammatory responses, and promoted angiogenesis and collagen deposition.
  4. Broad Application Prospects: This dressing is suitable for various types of wounds, particularly infected wounds, and holds significant clinical application value.

Additional Valuable Information

The researchers also noted that the fibrous membrane demonstrated good breathability and filtration efficiency in filtration performance tests, effectively blocking dust and particulate matter, further enhancing its potential as a wound dressing. Additionally, the membrane’s preparation process is simple and cost-effective, making it suitable for large-scale production and positioning it as a promising wound dressing for widespread use in the future.