Development of Nanofiber Patch Formulation Containing Rutin Hydrate, In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation

Wound healing is a dynamic and multifactorial process that can be significantly impaired by oxidative stress, microbial infection, and chronic systemic conditions, often resulting in delayed recovery and poor tissue regeneration. This study investigates the use of rutin hydrate, a bioactive flavonoid with antioxidant and collagen-promoting effects, in electrospun nanofiber dressings to enhance wound repair outcomes. Electrospinning technology was used to fabricate nanofibers from poly-(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and Eudragit L100, with optimized parameters determined via the Taguchi method. The nanofibers had average diameters of 258.371 nm (PVA) and 125.115 nm (Eudragit), with drug loading capacities of 78.735 ± 2.307 μg/mg per mass and 87.983 ± 2.055 μg/cm² per area (PVA); 76.833 ± 2.238 μg/mg per mass and 85.807 ± 1.502 μg/cm² per area (Eudragit). Characterization via SEM, FTIR, DSC, and NMR confirmed uniform, bead-free nanofibers with enhanced stability and controlled drug release. In vitro studies showed first-order drug release kinetics (Hixson-Crowell model), balancing burst release with sustained delivery. In vivo wound healing in rats demonstrated significantly faster recovery with rutin-loaded nanofibers (p < 0.0001 for F-PVA-Rutin and F-EUD-Rutin on day 3 and day 7). Histological analysis revealed reduced neutrophil infiltration, enhanced granulation tissue, and improved angiogenesis, confirming the therapeutic efficacy of rutin. These findings support the potential of rutin-loaded electrospun nanofiber dressings as an effective and scalable approach for promoting wound healing through localized, sustained drug delivery.