Electrospun nanofibrous wound dressings with enhanced efficiency through carbon quantum dots and citrate incorporation

• Published in: Scientific reports 2024-08, Vol.14 (1), p.19256-12, Article 19256
• Main Authors: Partovi, Alireza, Khedrinia, Mostafa, Arjmand, Sareh, Ranaei Siadat, Seyed Omid
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 631/45; 639/925; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents - chemistry; Anti-Bacterial Agents - pharmacology; Antibacterial activity; Bandages; Carbon; Carbon - chemistry; Carbon quantum dots; Chitosan; Chitosan - chemistry; Citrate; Citric acid; Citric Acid - chemistry; Contact angle; Degradability; E coli; Electron microscopy; Electrospinning; Escherichia coli - drug effects; Gelatin - chemistry; Histopathology; Humanities and Social Sciences; Infrared spectroscopy; Light scattering; Medical dressings; Metal Nanoparticles - chemistry; multidisciplinary; Nanofiber; Nanofibers - chemistry; Nanoparticles; Photons; Polycaprolactone; Polyesters - chemistry; Porosity; Quantum dots; Quantum Dots - chemistry; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Silver; Staphylococcus aureus - drug effects; Tissue engineering; Wound healing; Wound Healing - drug effects; X-ray diffraction
• ISSN: 2045-2322; 2045-2322
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-70295-9

Nanofibers show promise for wound healing by facilitating active agent delivery, moisture retention, and tissue regeneration. However, selecting suitable dressings for diverse wound types and managing varying exudate levels remains challenging. This study synthesized carbon quantum dots (CQDs) from citrate salt and thiourea using a hydrothermal method. The CQDs displayed antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli . A nanoscaffold comprising gelatin, chitosan, and polycaprolactone (GCP) was synthesized and enhanced with silver nanoparticle-coated CQDs (Ag-CQDs) to form GCP-Q, while citrate addition yielded GCP-QC. Multiple analytical techniques, including electron microscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, UV–Vis, photoluminescence, X-ray diffraction, porosity, degradability, contact angle, and histopathology assessments characterized the CQDs and nanofibers. Integration of CQDs and citrate into the GCP nanofibers increased porosity, hydrophilicity, and degradability—properties favorable for wound healing. Hematoxylin and eosin staining showed accelerated wound closure with GCP-Q and GCP-QC compared to GCP alone. Overall, GCP-Q and GCP-QC nanofibers exhibit significant potential for skin tissue engineering applications.