Electrospun PVA/PVP/Pectin Nanofibrous Patches Loaded with Hawthorn Extract and Dragon's Blood for Synergistic Wound Care

Abstract

With the rising occurrence of skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis (AD), which are often associated with inflammation, skin barrier damage, and related complications, there is an urgent need for simple and effective early-stage treatment strategies. Although current therapies, including moisturizers, injections, and corticosteroids, offer some relief, they present limitations such as side effects, high cost, or limited efficacy. Therefore, developing a straightforward therapeutic patch that promotes skin regeneration and enables efficient drug delivery is essential. In this study, electrospun nanofibrous patches composed of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and pectin (PEC) were fabricated and loaded with Hawthorn Extract (HE) and Dragon's Blood (DB) to enhance wound healing capacity. The patches were comprehensively characterized by morphological, chemical, and functional analyses. Surface wettability, swelling, and in vitro release studies confirmed improved hydrophilicity, rapid fluid uptake, and sustained delivery of the plant extracts. Antifungal activity against Candida albicans showed that dual-extract patches completely inhibited fungal growth, while cytotoxicity assays with L929 fibroblasts confirmed biocompatibility. In vivo skin hydration testing on human volunteers demonstrated significant improvements, with dual-extract patches enhancing skin moisture by up to 44% over a 6-h period compared to the control group. These findings indicate that electrospun PVA/PVP/PEC patches, particularly those incorporating both HE and DB, combine hydration, antifungal properties, and biocompatibility. Such features highlight their strong potential for translation into clinical studies for treating AD and related chronic skin conditions.