Antibacterial electrospun nanofibers for wound dressing applications

Abstract

Electrospun nanofibers, with their high porosity, mechanical flexibility, ease of functionalization, and structural similarity to the extracellular matrix, represent a versatile platform for advanced wound dressings. Their capacity to incorporate bioactive components and cell-binding motifs facilitates cellular adhesion, proliferation, antimicrobial defense, and tissue regeneration. This review highlights recent progress (since 2020) in the development of antibacterial electrospun wound dressings, emphasizing systems composed of natural and synthetic polymers, as well as their hybrids. The electrospinning technique and the advantages of electrospun wound dressings are first briefly discussed. Key functionalization strategies using antibiotics, antibacterial peptides and phytochemicals, metal ions, and inorganic nanoparticles are then elaborated in the context of their mechanisms for combating bacterial infections. The ability to tailor material composition and achieve controlled release, along with embedding regenerative cues, makes electrospun nanofiber dressings strong candidates for treating both acute and chronic wounds.