Work

Evaluation of Functional Electrospun Chitosan-Based Nanofibers Loaded with Norfloxacin for Enhanced Burn Wound Healing Response

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Nanofibrous materials based on chitosan (CS) have attracted considerable attention for advanced wound management due to their favourable biocompatibility, biodegradability, and potential as drug delivery platforms. Additional surface func-tionalization may improve their interaction with the wound environment and influence tissue repair mechanisms. Method: Electrospun trimethyl chitosan (TMC)/CS nanofibers were developed and further processed into three different variants: unloaded fibers (NCC), norfloxacin-encapsulated fibers (NCX), and norfloxacin-loaded fibers functional-ized with 2-formylphenylboronic acid (NCXA). The obtained systems were investigated through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and UV–Vis spectroscopy. Their therapeutic potential was assessed in vivo using a standardized deep dermal burn model in Wistar rats, with vaseline gauze and silver sulfadiazine employed as reference treatments. Healing progression was monitored through macroscopic evaluation using histo-pathology, immunohistochemical markers (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-17, VEGF, VCAM, CD163), and systemic IL-8 determination. Results: Physicochemical characterization verified homogeneous nanofiber formation, efficient incorporation of norfloxacin, and successful functionalization of the nanostructures. All electrospun formulations promoted improved healing outcomes relative to the untreated control group. Among them, the norfloxa-cin-encapsulated fibers formulation demonstrated the best healing effect, characterized by faster re-epithelialization, attenuation of inflammatory mediators during later healing stages, and superior tissue architecture restoration. Conversely, the norfloxacin-loaded fibers functionalized with 2-formylphenylboronic acid system maintained a more per-sistent inflammatory state and exhibited slower transition into the remodelling phase. Conclusion: Trimethyl chitosan-based nanofibers loaded with norfloxacin show strong potential as multifunctional wound dressing platforms capable of controlled drug release. The findings emphasize that formulation composition plays a critical role in regulating inflammation and tissue regeneration, underscoring the need for continued refinement of chitosan-derived nanosystems for burn wound therapy.

Source: Polymers

DOI: 10.3390/polym18131621