Marine algae as a source of bioactive nanofibers: Innovations in tissue repair and skin regeneration

Chronic wounds persist as a major clinical challenge due to sustained inflammation, high infection risk, and inadequate responsiveness to conventional wound dressings. These limitations underscore the need for advanced biomaterials capable of modulating the wound microenvironment, supporting tissue regeneration, and overcoming the structural and biological shortcomings of synthetic dressings. Current clinical options often fail to provide sufficient antimicrobial protection, immune regulation, or extracellular matrix support, further contributing to delayed healing and increased healthcare burden. This review examines the emerging role of marine algae-derived nanofibers as bioactive platforms for wound management, focusing on their pharmacological constituents and integration into engineered fibrous scaffolds. Key macroalgal metabolites including fucoidan, ulvan, phlorotannins, and carrageenan exhibit potent antioxidant, antimicrobial, and immunomodulatory activities that directly target pathological features of chronic wounds. Evidence from in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrates that algal nanofibers are biocompatible, structurally tunable, and capable of modulating immune responses, particularly through macrophage polarization and cytokine regulation. Their mechanical properties, porosity, and degradation kinetics further highlight their adaptability to diverse wound microenvironments and their potential to enhance extracellular matrix remodeling and tissue repair. By integrating marine pharmacology with advanced materials engineering, algal nanofiber constructs represent a promising innovation in precision wound care and regenerative medicine. However, translational challenges including scalable production, regulatory approval, and limited clinical validation must be addressed to advance these materials toward clinical application. Overall, marine-derived nanofibers may serve as valuable candidates in the evolving landscape of regenerative therapeutics, bridging marine bioresources with interdisciplinary biomedical research.