Nanofibrous composite aerogel with multi-bioactive and fluid gating characteristics for promoting diabetic wound...

Diabetic wounds are difficult to heal, which increases the difficulty of treatment and aggravates the suffering of patients. Especially its intractable large amount of exudate puts forward more stringent requirements for dressings. The accumulation of excessive exudate would prolong inflammation phase and delay wound healing. To manage wound exudate in time and get through the inflammatory phase smoothly, we developed a Janus nanofibrous aerogel with asymmetric wetting properties. The Janus nanofibrous aerogel has a micropattern obtained from cellular nanofibrous structure, which does not require external force to realize the autonomous, rapid and unidirectional transportation of exudate. Benefiting from its structure and fluid gating characteristics, it can not only absorb high-volume liquid but also effectively prohibit liquid penetration in reverse. Besides, the Janus nanofibrous aerogel has excellent antibacterial and antioxidant properties to synergistically promote wound healing. Experiments in diabetic mice model showed that Janus nanofibrous aerogel can prevent maceration of peri-wound tissue, shorten the inflammation phase, and promote diabetic wound healing. Its good elasticity and easy production characteristics are friendly for clinical application.