Diabetic wounds are characterized by persistent inflammation, oxidative stress, and impaired tissue regeneration. The authors designed a bioinspired electrospun PLGA-gelatin nanofibrous scaffold loaded with phytoextracts from Vitex negundo (VN) and Jatropha multifida (JM). The objective was to mimic the extracellular matrix, provide controlled local delivery of phytoconstituents, and promote wound healing through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant mechanisms, assessed in vitro using HUVEC cells and in vivo in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.
The VN-JM nanofibers were fabricated to encapsulate phytoextracts within a PLGA-gelatin polymer matrix. Electron microscopy and particle analysis indicated a uniform nanoscale fiber morphology with diameters in the 255–280 nm range. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed a crystalline-to-amorphous transformation of incorporated phytoconstituents, an outcome the authors interpret as consistent with enhanced solubility of the active plant components when embedded in the fiber matrix. The study reports successful incorporation of phytoconstituents but does not provide detailed quantitative loading values in the abstract.
Key functional properties for wound dressings were measured. The nanofibrous scaffold exhibited high porosity (83.6 ± 0.9%), which supports gas exchange and fluid handling at the wound site. Swelling capacity was substantial, recorded as 450 ± 18% at 24 hours, indicating absorption potential for wound exudate. Biodegradation testing showed controlled mass loss with 63.5 ± 4.5% weight loss at 28 days, consistent with a bioresorbable dressing profile.
Drug-release studies demonstrated sustained release of the encapsulated phytoextracts over 168 hours, reaching approximately 90% cumulative release, indicating prolonged local availability of active compounds at the wound surface.
The scaffold was evaluated on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) to probe cytocompatibility and pro-healing activity. At optimal doses, VN-JM nanofibers increased HUVEC viability compared with controls. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, measured by DCFH fluorescence intensity, were reduced in treated cells, consistent with antioxidant activity. The formulation also enhanced colony formation and promoted cell migration leading to improved in vitro wound-closure metrics. These findings support both cytoprotective and pro-regenerative effects of the nanofibrous scaffold in an endothelial cell model.
The therapeutic performance of the VN-JM-loaded nanofibers was tested in a streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model. Animals received daily topical application of the nanofibrous dressing for 21 days. The nanofiber-treated groups achieved superior wound closure by day 21 compared with groups treated with gels or extracts alone and compared with diabetic controls. The abstract reports that the scaffold outperformed diabetic controls and produced results comparable to standard treatment groups used in the study, though specific comparator details and quantitative wound-area data are not provided in the abstract.
Biochemical assays in treated animals showed a marked reduction in proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 relative to gels and extracts. Oxidative-stress-related markers were diminished: lipid peroxidation, DCF fluorescence, and nitrite levels were all lower in nanofiber-treated wounds. Histological analysis revealed complete re-epithelialization, proliferation of fibroblasts, neovascularization, and organized collagen deposition in nanofiber-treated groups. These histological endpoints indicate enhanced tissue regeneration and remodeling compared with diabetic controls.
The authors conclude that VN+JM-loaded PLGA-gelatin nanofibrous scaffolds combine a biomimetic matrix with sustained local delivery of plant-derived antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents. Reported material properties—high porosity, strong swelling, controlled biodegradation, and prolonged release—support their suitability as bioresorbable wound dressings. In vitro HUVEC data and in vivo diabetic-rat results indicate the scaffold mitigates oxidative stress and inflammation while promoting re-epithelialization, neovascularization, and collagen organization, leading to improved wound closure. The abstract positions the formulation as a promising regenerative scaffold for diabetic wounds.
The authors declared no competing interests in the published article.
Note: This summary is based exclusively on the information provided in the article abstract. Detailed experimental methods, full quantitative results, statistical analyses, and comparator definitions were not reported in the abstract and therefore are not included here.