Sponge-Like Nanofibrous Hydroxyapatite/Zinc Oxide-Integrated Scaffolds for Rapid Hemostasis and Antibacterial Defense...

Effective management of bleeding in irregular or noncompressible wounds continues to demand advanced hemostatic strategies beyond conventional dressings. In this study, a sponge-like fibrous scaffold was developed using electrospinning and gas-foaming techniques, incorporating polycaprolactone (PCL), Pluronic F127, biogenic hydroxyapatite (BHAP), and zinc oxide nanoparticles (nZnO). The primary objective of this nanostructured composite was to provide speedy hemostasis along with additional antibacterial properties. Structural and morphological characterization by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), that are evidently confirms successful integration of the active components and the formation of a highly porous, ECM-mimicking nanofibrous architecture. As compared to standard gauze and the commercial Hemosponge, the fibrous scaffold exhibited superior fluid handling, with water and blood absorption capacities of 4070 ± 203.5% and 2315.3 ± 115.7%, respectively. It also demonstrated enhanced hemo-compatibility (1.3% hemolysis), high porosity (73.3 ± 3%), and strong red blood cell and platelet adhesion, promoting clot formation. Whole blood clotting assays revealed a significantly lower blood clotting index (BCI: 14.59 ± 0.72%) than controls, confirming accelerated coagulation. The scaffold also exhibited broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, attributed to ZnO-mediated high-surface-area contact-killing mechanism of the fibrous sponge. In vivo studies using rat tail and liver injury models showed rapid bleeding cessation (1.1 ± 0.05 min and 2.7 ± 0.13 min, respectively), with no histopathological abnormalities in major organs, confirming its systemic biocompatibility. Overall, this fibrous sponge filled with BHAP and ZnO offers a potential multipurpose foundation for sophisticated hemorrhage control.