Metal nanoparticles incorporated chitosan-based electrospun nanofibre mats for wound dressing applications: A review

Wound healing is a dynamic physiological process essential for regenerating skin and maintaining coherence in hypodermic tissues. Chitosan-based electrospun nanofibre wound dressings show great promise for expediting the integration of skin and tissues due to their nano-topographic, biodegradable, biocompatible, and antimicrobial properties. However, their moderate bactericidal efficacy and limited mechanical strength hinder their widespread clinical application. The incorporation of specific metal nanoparticles (MNPs) and the functionalization of chitosan have brought attention to their crucial role in wound healing applications, yielding promising results by enhancing antibacterial properties, cell proliferation, cell signaling, and the mechanical robustness of the materials. Chitosan naturally mitigates the cytotoxicity of the incorporated metal nanoparticles within the nanofibers. Chitosan and modified chitosan-based electrospun mats incorporated with metal nanoparticles demonstrate substantial potential for expediting wound healing. This review offers a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in electrospun chitosan-based mats containing MNPs aimed at enhancing wound healing. It covers various aspects, including modification techniques, fabrication methods, wound closure mechanisms, MNP release profiles, histological considerations, addresses existing challenges, and outlines potential future developments.