Self-pumping, pH-responsive Janus fibrous dressing for enhanced immunomodulation and accelerated diabetic wound healing

Diabetic wounds, characterized by excessive exudate accumulation and dysregulated inflammation, pose a global healthcare challenge due to their persistent non-healing nature. Traditional therapies often fail to simultaneously address three critical healing requirements: precise exudate management, coordinated inflammation-immune modulation, and pro-regenerative microenvironment establishment. Here, we present an innovative self-pumping Janus fibrous dressing integrating curcumin-loaded polycaprolactone nanofibers with cotton gauze. Its gradient architecture enables spontaneous exudate drainage and dynamic microenvironment modulation, establishing an optimal milieu for accelerated wound healing. Comprehensive in vitro investigations validate the dressing’s multifunctionality, including sensitive colorimetric pH response, antibacterial properties (>99 % inhibition against S. aureus), and antioxidant capabilities (>90 % DPPH radical scavenging). In vivo studies in a diabetic mice model demonstrate the dressing’s superior wound healing efficacy, with ∼47 % reduction in wound edge maceration, mitigated inflammatory responses, and enhanced angiogenesis compared to commercial cotton dressings. This novel approach provides a promising foundation for the development of advanced wound dressings tailored for the management and healing of chronic wounds.