Unfolding the electrospinning potential of biopolymers for preparation of nanofibers

The complex world of kefir: Structural insights and symbiotic relationships

Kefir milk, known for its high nutritional value and health benefits, is traditionally produced by fermenting milk with kefir grains. These grains are a complex symbiotic community of lactic acid bacteria, acetic acid bacteria, yeasts, and other microorganisms. However, the intricate coexistence mechanisms within these microbial colonies remain a mystery, posing challenges in predicting their biological and functional traits. This uncertainty often leads to variability in kefir milk's quality and safety. This review delves into the unique structural characteristics of kefir grains, particularly their distinctive hollow structure. We propose hypotheses on their formation, which appears to be influenced by the aggregation behaviors of the community members and their alliances. In kefir milk, a systematic colonization process is driven by metabolite release, orchestrating the spatiotemporal rearrangement of ecological niches. We place special emphasis on the dynamic spatiotemporal changes within the kefir microbial community. Spatially, we observe variations in species morphology and distribution across different locations within the grain structure. Temporally, the review highlights the succession patterns of the microbial community, shedding light on their evolving interactions.Furthermore, we explore the ecological mechanisms underpinning the formation of a stable community composition. The interplay of cooperative and competitive species within these microorganisms ensures a dynamic balance, contributing to the community's richness and stability. In kefir community, competitive species foster diversity and stability, whereas cooperative species bolster mutualistic symbiosis. By deepening our understanding of the behaviors of these complex microbial communities, we can pave the way for future advancements in the development and diversification of starter cultures for food fermentation processes.

The Incorporated Drug Affects the Properties of Hydrophilic Nanofibers

Hydrophilic nanofibers offer promising potential for the delivery of drugs with diverse characteristics. Yet, the effects of different drugs incorporated into these nanofibers on their properties remain poorly understood. In this study, we systematically explored how model drugs, namely ibuprofen, carvedilol, paracetamol, and metformin (hydrochloride), affect hydrophilic nanofibers composed of polyethylene oxide and poloxamer 188 in a 1:1 weight ratio. Our findings reveal that the drug affects the conductivity and viscosity of the polymer solution for electrospinning, leading to distinct changes in the morphology of electrospun products. Specifically, drugs with low solubility in ethanol, the chosen solvent for polymer solution preparation, led to the formation of continuous nanofibers with uniform diameters. Additionally, the lower solubility of metformin in ethanol resulted in particle appearance on the nanofiber surface. Furthermore, the incorporation of more hydrophilic drugs increased the surface hydrophilicity of nanofiber mats. However, variations in the physicochemical properties of the drugs did not affect the drug loading and drug entrapment efficiency. Our research also shows that drug properties do not notably affect the immediate release of drugs from nanofibers, highlighting the dominant role of the hydrophilic polymers used. This study emphasizes the importance of considering specific drug properties, such as solubility, hydrophilicity, and compatibility with the solvent used for electrospinning, when designing hydrophilic nanofibers for drug delivery. Such considerations are crucial for optimizing the properties of the drug delivery system, which is essential for achieving therapeutic efficacy and safety.

Temozolomide nano-in-nanofiber delivery system with sustained release and enhanced cellular uptake by U87MG cells

OBJECTIVE

The study was aimed at formulating temozolomide (TMZ) loaded gelatin nanoparticles (GNPs) encapsulated into polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibers (TMZ-GNPs-PVA NFs) as the nano-in-nanofiber delivery system. The secondary objective was to explore the sustained releasing ability of this system and to assess its enhanced cellular uptake against U87MG glioma cells in vitro.

SIGNIFICANCE

Nano-in-nanofibers are the emerging drug delivery systems for treating a wide range of diseases including cancers as they overcome the challenges experienced by nanoparticles and nanofibers alone.

METHODS

The drug-loaded GNPs were formulated by one-step desolvation method. The Design of Experiments (DoE) was used to optimize nanoparticle size and entrapment efficiency. The optimized drug-loaded nanoparticles were then encapsulated within nanofibers using blend electrospinning technique. The U87MG glioma cells were used to investigate the uptake of the formulation.

RESULTS

A 32 factorial design was used to optimize the mean particle size (145.7 nm) and entrapment efficiency (87.6%) of the TMZ-loaded GNPs which were subsequently ingrained into PVA nanofibers by electrospinning technique. The delivery system achieved a sustained drug release for up to seven days (in vitro). The SEM results ensured that the expected nano-in-nanofiber delivery system was achieved. The uptake of TMZ-GNPs-PVA NFs by cells was increased by a factor of 1.964 compared to that of the pure drug.

CONCLUSION

The nano-in-nanofiber drug delivery system is a potentially useful therapeutic strategy for the management of glioblastoma multiforme.

Investigating How the Properties of Electrospun Poly(lactic acid) Fibres Loaded with the Essential Oil Limonene Evolve over Time under Different Storage Conditions

Essential oils have been identified as effective natural compounds to prevent bacterial infections and thus are widely proposed as bioactive agents for biomedical applications. Across the literature, various essential oils have been incorporated into electrospun fibres to produce materials with, among others, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity. However, limited research has been conducted so far on the effect of these chemical products on the physical characteristics of the resulting composite fibres for extended periods of time. Within this work, electrospun fibres of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) were loaded with the essential oil limonene, and the impact of storage conditions and duration (up to 12 weeks) on the thermal degradation, glass transition temperature and mechanical response of the fibrous mats were investigated. It was found that the concentration of the encapsulated limonene changed over time and thus the properties of the PLA-limonene fibres evolved, particularly in the first two weeks of storage (independently from storage conditions). The amount of limonene retained within the fibres, even 4 weeks after fibre generation, was effective to successfully inhibit the growth of model microorganisms Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis. The results of this work demonstrate the importance of evaluating physical properties during the ageing of electrospun fibres encapsulating essential oils, in order to predict performance modification when the composite fibres are used as constituents of medical devices.

Transmucosal Delivery of Peptides and Proteins Through Nanofibers: Current Status and Emerging Developments

Advancements in recombinant DNA technology have made proteins and peptides available for diagnostic and therapeutic applications, but their effectiveness when taken orally leads to poor patient compliance, requiring clinical administration. Among the alternative routes, transmucosal delivery has the advantage of being noninvasive and bypassing hepato-gastrointestinal clearance. Various mucosal routes-buccal, nasal, pulmonary, rectal, and vaginal-have been explored for delivering these macromolecules. Nanofibers, due to their unique properties like high surface-area-to-volume ratio, mechanical strength, and improved encapsulation efficiency, serve as promising carriers for proteins and peptides. These nanofibers can be tailored for quick dissolution, controlled release, enhanced encapsulation, targeted delivery, and improved bioavailability, offering superior pharmaceutical and pharmacokinetic performance compared to conventional methods. This leads to reduced dosages, fewer side effects, and enhanced patient compliance. Hence, nanofibers hold tremendous potential for protein/peptide delivery, especially through mucosal routes. This review focuses on the therapeutic application of proteins and peptides, challenges faced in their conventional delivery, techniques for fabricating different types of nanofibers and, various nanofiber-based dosage forms, and factors influencing nanofiber generation. Insights pertaining to the precise selection of materials used for fabricating nanofibers and regulatory aspects have been covered. Case studies wherein the use of specific protein/peptide-loaded nanofibers and delivered via oral/vaginal/nasal mucosa for diagnostic/therapeutic use and related preclinical and clinical studies conducted have been included in this review.

Multifunctional embelin- poly (3-hydroxybutyric acid) and sodium alginate-based core-shell electrospun nanofibrous mat for wound healing applications

In this study, coaxial electrospinning is employed to make core-shell fibers, which represents a major advance in biomaterial innovation. Fibers that combine a protective shell and a therapeutic agent-loaded core, herald a revolutionary era in tissue engineering and wound care. Besides supporting cell growth, these fibers also preserve sterility, which makes them ideal for advanced wound dressings. We used embelin as the basis for this study because of its natural antibacterial properties. Its effectiveness in inhibiting the growth of bacteria made it the ideal candidate for our research. We have synthesized core-shell nanofibers that contain Sodium Alginate (SAL) in a Poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO) shell and Embelin in a Poly (3-hydroxybutyric acid) (PHB) core, which exhibit the homogeneity and flawless structure required for biomedical applications. When using SAL-PEO and EMB-PHB solutions dissolved in 1,1,1,3,3,3 hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP), high consistency in results can be achieved. A biocompatibility study was conducted using NIH-3T3 fibroblasts, which demonstrated remarkable adhesion and proliferation, with over 95 % growth supporting both PHB + SAL-PEO and EMB-PHB + SAL-PEO fibers. In addition, the scaffold loaded with Embelin shows strong antibacterial activity and cytocompatibility. The combined activity demonstrates the potential of EMB-PHB + SAL-PEO fibers in wound healing, where tissue regeneration and preservation of sterility are crucial. The optimized concentration of Embelin within these scaffolds demonstrates robust antibacterial efficacy while exhibiting minimal toxicity, thus positioning them as highly promising candidates for a wide range of biological applications, including wound healing.

Investigation of biodegradability and cellular activity of PCL/PLA and PCL/PLLA electrospun webs for tissue engineering applications

Biodegradability and cellular activity are key performance indicators that should be prioritized for tissue engineering applications. Biopolymer selection, determination of necessary structural properties, and their synergistic interactions play an active role in obtaining the expected biodegradability and biological activity from scaffolds. In this study, it is aimed to produce electrospun webs with improved biocompatibility by blending polycaprolactone (PCL) with polylactic acid (PLA) and poly-l-lactide (PLLA), and examine the effect of biopolymer selection and blend ratio on the biodegradability and cellular activity of surfaces. In this context, fibrous webs are produced from PCL/PLA and PCL/PLLA blends with a weight ratio of 80/20 and 50/50 and pure polymers of PCL, PLA, and PLLA by electrospinning method and subjected to morphological and biological analyses. The biodegradation tests are carried out hydrolytically while the cell viability and cell proliferation analyses are performed with adult human primary dermal fibroblasts and human umbilical endothelial cells (HUVECs). The results show that the fiber diameters of the fabricated webs ranged from 0.747 to 1.685 μm. At the end of the 5th month, it is observed that the biodegradation rates of the webs blended 50% with PLA and PLLA, in comparison to PCL ones, increase from 3.7% to 13.33% and 7.69%, respectively. On the other hand, cell culture results highlight that the addition of 20% PLA and PLLA improves the cellular activity of both cell types, but increased PLA or PLLA ratio in PCL webs has a negative effect as it makes the structure stiff and brittle.

Electrospun Nanofiber-Based Drug Carrier to Manage Inflammation

Significance: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are one of the most widely prescribed drugs to treat inflammation and related ailments. In recent years, loading these drugs onto nanodevices like nanoparticles, nanofibers, etc. as a drug delivery system has gained momentum due to its desirable properties and advantages. The purpose of this review is to examine the existing research on the potential and novel use of nanofiber-assisted delivery of NSAIDs. Recent Advances: Electrospun nanofibers have recently garnered considerable attention from researchers in a variety of sectors. They have proved to be promising vehicles for drug delivery systems because of their exceptional and favorable features like prolonged drug release, controllable porosity, and high surface area. In this article, various polymers and even combinations of polymers loaded with single or multiple drugs were analyzed to achieve the desired drug release rates (burst, sustained, and biphasic) from the electrospun nanofibers. Critical Issues: The administration of these medications can induce major adverse effects, causing patients discomfort. Thus, encapsulating these drugs within electrospun nanofibers helps to reduce the severity of side effects while also providing additional benefits such as targeted and controlled drug release, reduced toxicity, and long-lasting effects of the drug with lower amounts of administration. Future Directions: This review covers previous research on the delivery of NSAIDs using electrospun nanofibers as the matrix. Also, this study intends to aid in the development of enhanced drug delivery systems for the treatment of inflammation and related issues.

Essential oil encapsulation by electrospinning and electrospraying using food proteins: A review

Proteins are excellent polymeric materials for encapsulating essential oils (EOs) by electrospinning and electrospraying to protect these compounds and form nanomaterials with active properties. Proteins can encapsulate bioactive molecules by several mechanisms, including surface activity, absorption and stabilization mechanisms, amphiphilic nature, film-forming capacity, foaming, emulsification, and gelation, due to interactions among their functional groups. However, proteins have some limitations in encapsulating EOs by the electrohydrodynamic process. Their properties can be improved by using auxiliary polymers, increasing their charges by adding ionic salts or polyelectrolytes, denaturing their structure by heat, and exposure to specific pH conditions and ionic strength. This review addresses the main proteins used in electrospinning/electrospraying techniques, production methods, their interactions with EOs, bioactive properties, and applications in food matrices. Multivariate analysis associated with bibliometrics of metadata extracted from studies in Web of Science using the keywords electrospinning and essential oil (EO) were used as the search strategy.

Recent Progress and Trends in the Development of Electrospun and 3D Printed Polymeric-Based Materials to Overcome Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) developed by microorganisms is considered one of the most critical public health issues worldwide. This problem is affecting the lives of millions of people and needs to be addressed promptly. Mainly, antibiotics are the substances that contribute to AMR in various strains of bacteria and other microorganisms, leading to infectious diseases that cannot be effectively treated. To avoid the use of antibiotics and similar drugs, several approaches have gained attention in the fields of materials science and engineering as well as pharmaceutics over the past five years. Our focus lies on the design and manufacture of polymeric-based materials capable of incorporating antimicrobial agents excluding the aforementioned substances. In this sense, two of the emerging techniques for materials fabrication, namely, electrospinning and 3D printing, have gained significant attraction. In this article, we provide a summary of the most important findings that contribute to the development of antimicrobial systems using these technologies to incorporate various types of nanomaterials, organic molecules, or natural compounds with the required property. Furthermore, we discuss and consider the challenges that lie ahead in this research field for the coming years.

Influence of Polymer Concentration on Drying of SPION Dispersions by Electrospinning

To improve the physical stability of nanoparticle dispersions, several methods for their transformation into stable and easily dispersible dry products have been investigated thus far. Recently, electrospinning was shown to be a novel nanoparticle dispersion drying method, which addresses the crucial challenges of the current drying methods. It is a relatively simple method, but it is affected by various ambient, process, and dispersion parameters, which impact the properties of the electrospun product. The aim of this study was, thus, to investigate the influence of the most important dispersion parameter, namely the total polymer concentration, on the drying method efficiency and the properties of the electrospun product. The formulation was based on a mixture of hydrophilic polymers poloxamer 188 and polyethylene oxide in the weight ratio of 1:1, which is acceptable for potential parenteral application. We showed that the total polymer concentration of prior-drying samples is closely related to their viscosity and conductivity, also affecting the morphology of the electrospun product. However, the change in morphology of the electrospun product does not affect the efficiency of SPION reconstitution from the electrospun product. Regardless of the morphology, the electrospun product is not in powder form and is therefore safer to handle compared to powder nanoformulations. The optimal total polymer concentration in the prior-drying SPION dispersion, which enables the formation of an easily dispersible electrospun product with high SPION-loading (65% (w/w)) and fibrillar morphology, was shown to be 4.2% (w/v).

Supercritical Impregnation of Mesoglycan and Lactoferrin on Polyurethane Electrospun Fibers for Wound Healing Applications

Fibrous membranes of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) were fabricated through a uni-axial electrospinning process. Fibers were then separately charged with two pharmacological agents, mesoglycan (MSG) and lactoferrin (LF), by supercritical CO₂ impregnation. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) analysis proved the formation of a micrometric structure with a homogeneous distribution of mesoglycan and lactoferrin. Besides, the degree of retention is calculated in four liquid media with different pHs. At the same time, angle contact analysis proved the formation of a hydrophobic membrane loaded with MSG and a hydrophilic LF-loaded one. The impregnation kinetics demonstrated a maximum loaded amount equal to 0.18 ± 0.20% and 0.07 ± 0.05% for MSG and LT, respectively. In vitro tests were performed using a Franz diffusion cell to simulate the contact with the human skin. The release of MSG reaches a plateau after about 28 h while LF release leveled off after 15 h. The in vitro compatibility of electrospun membranes has been evaluated on HaCaT and BJ cell lines, as human keratinocytes and fibroblasts, respectively. The reported data proved the potential application of fabricated membranes for wound healing.

Development of Mucoadhesive Electrospun Scaffolds for Intravaginal Delivery of Lactobacilli spp., a Tenside, and Metronidazole for the Management of Bacterial Vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is an infection of the vagina associated with thriving anaerobes, such as Gardnerella vaginitis and other associated pathogens. These pathogens form a biofilm responsible for the recurrence of infection after antibiotic therapy. The aim of this study was to develop a novel mucoadhesive polyvinyl alcohol and polycaprolactone electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds for vaginal delivery, incorporating metronidazole, a tenside, and Lactobacilli. This approach to drug delivery sought to combine an antibiotic for bacterial clearance, a tenside biofilm disruptor, and a lactic acid producer to restore healthy vaginal flora and prevent the recurrence of bacterial vaginosis. F7 and F8 had the least ductility at 29.25% and 28.39%, respectively, and this could be attributed to the clustering of particles that prevented the mobility of the crazes. F2 had the highest at 93.83% due to the addition of a surfactant that increased the affinity of the components. The scaffolds exhibited mucoadhesion between 31.54 ± 0.83% and 57.86 ± 0.95%, where an increased sodium cocoamphoacetate concentration led to increased mucoadhesion. F6 showed the highest mucoadhesion at 57.86 ± 0.95%, as compared to 42.67 ± 1.22% and 50.89 ± 1.01% for the F8 and F7 scaffolds, respectively. The release of metronidazole via a non-Fickian diffusion-release mechanism indicated both swelling and diffusion. The anomalous transport within the drug-release profile pointed to a drug-discharge mechanism that combined both diffusion and erosion. The viability studies showed a growth of Lactobacilli fermentum in both the polymer blend and the nanofiber formulation that was retained post-storage at 25 °C for 30 days. The developed electrospun scaffolds for the intravaginal delivery of Lactobacilli spp., along with a tenside and metronidazole for the management of bacterial vaginosis, provide a novel tool for the treatment and management of recurrent vaginal infection.

Electrospun Multilayered Films Based on Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate), Copolyamide 1010/1014, and Electrosprayed Nanostructured Silica

In this research, bio-based electrospun multilayered films for food packaging applications with good barrier properties and close to superhydrophobic behavior were developed. For this purpose, two different biopolymers, a low-melting point and fully bio-based synthetic aliphatic copolyamide 1010/1014 (PA1010/1014) and the microbially synthesized poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) and food-contact-complying organomodified silica (SiO₂) nanostructured microparticles, were processed by electrospinning. The production of the multilayer structure was finally obtained by means of a thermal post-treatment, with the aim to laminate all of the components by virtue of the so-called interfiber coalescence process. The so developed fully electrospun films were characterized according to their morphology, their permeance to water vapor and oxygen, the mechanical properties, and their water contact angle properties. Interestingly, the annealed electrospun copolyamide did not show the expected improved barrier behavior as a monolayer. However, when it was built into a multilayer form, the whole assembly exhibited a good barrier, an improved mechanical performance compared to pure PHBV, an apparent water contact angle of ca. 146°, and a sliding angle of 8°. Consequently, these new biopolymer-based multilayer films could be a bio-based alternative to be potentially considered in more environmentally friendly food packaging strategies.

Electrospun nanofibres in drug delivery: advances in controlled release strategies

Emerging drug-delivery systems demand a controlled or programmable or sustained release of drug molecules to improve therapeutic efficacy and patient compliance. Such systems have been heavily investigated as they offer safe, accurate, and quality treatment for numerous diseases. Amongst newly developed drug-delivery systems, electrospun nanofibres have emerged as promising drug excipients and are coming up as promising biomaterials. The inimitable characteristics of electrospun nanofibres in terms of their high surface-to-volume ratio, high porosity, easy drug encapsulation, and programmable release make them an astounding drug-delivery vehicle.

Progress and opportunities in Gellan gum-based materials: A review of preparation, characterization and emerging applications

Gellan gum, a microbial exopolysaccharide, is biodegradable and has potential to fill several key roles in many fields from food to pharmacy, biomedicine and tissue engineering. In order to improve the physicochemical and biological properties of gellan gum, some researchers take advantage of numerous hydroxyl groups and the free carboxyl present in each repeating unit. As a result, design and development of gellan-based materials have advanced significantly. The goal of this review is to provide a summary of the most recent, high-quality research trends that have used gellan gum as a polymeric component in the design of numerous cutting-edge materials with applications in various fields.

Drug Delivery Systems in Regenerative Medicine: An Updated Review

Modern drug discovery methods led to evolving new agents with significant therapeutic potential. However, their properties, such as solubility and administration-related challenges, may hinder their benefits. Moreover, advances in biotechnology resulted in the development of a new generation of molecules with a short half-life that necessitates frequent administration. In this context, controlled release systems are required to enhance treatment efficacy and improve patient compliance. Innovative drug delivery systems are promising tools that protect therapeutic proteins and peptides against proteolytic degradation where controlled delivery is achievable. The present review provides an overview of different approaches used for drug delivery.

Expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene Membranes for Vascular Stent Coating: Manufacturing, Biomedical and Surgical Applications, Innovations and Case Reports

Coated stents are defined as innovative stents surrounded by a thin polymer membrane based on polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)useful in the treatment of numerous vascular pathologies. Endovascular methodology involves the use of such devices to restore blood flow in small-, medium- and large-calibre arteries, both centrally and peripherally. These membranes cross the stent struts and act as a physical barrier to block the growth of intimal tissue in the lumen, preventing so-called intimal hyperplasia and late stent thrombosis. PTFE for vascular applications is known as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (e-PTFE) and it can be rolled up to form a thin multilayer membrane expandable by 4 to 5 times its original diameter. This membrane plays an important role in initiating the restenotic process because wrapped graft stent could be used as the treatment option for trauma devices during emergency situations and to treat a number of pathological vascular disease. In this review, we will investigate the multidisciplinary techniques used for the production of e-PTFE membranes, the advantages and disadvantages of their use, the innovations and the results in biomedical and surgery field when used to cover graft stents.

Hyaluronic acid-based nanofibers: Electrospun synthesis and their medical applications; recent developments and future perspective

Hyaluronan is a biodegradable, biopolymer that represents a major part of the extracellular matrix and has the potential to be fabricated in a fibrous form conjugated with other polymers via electrospinning. Unique physicochemical features such as viscoelasticity, conductivity, and biological activity mainly affected by molecular weight attracted the attention of biomedical researchers to utilize hyaluronan for designing novel HA-based nano-devices. Particularly HA-based nanofibers get focused on a diverse range of applications in medical like tissue implants for regeneration of damaged tissue or organ repair, wound dressings, and drug delivery carriers to treat various disorders. Currently, electrospinning represents an effective available method for designing highly porous, 3D, HA-based nanofibers with features similar to that of the extra-cellular matrix making them a promising candidate for designing advanced regenerative medicines. This review highlights the structural and physicochemical features of HA, recently cited protocols in literature for HA production via microbial fermentation with particular focus on electrospun fabrication of HA-based nanofibers and parameters affecting its synthesis, current progress in medical applications of these electrospun HA-based nanofibers, their limitations and future perspective about the potential of these HA-based nanofibers in medical field.

Anchoring silver nanoparticles on nanofibers by thermal bonding to construct functional surface

Generally, the anchoring of inorganic nanoparticles onto the surface of fibers faces the problem of poor stability, which limits the wide application of nanoparticle functionalized fibers. Herein, nanofibers with shell-core structures were constructed by coaxial electrospinning of two polymers with different melting points (T_m). Polyglycolic acid (PGA, T_m = 225 °C) was employed as the core layer, while polycaprolactone (PCL, T_m = 60 °C) was used as the shell layer. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were electrosprayed on the nanofibers and the shell layer (PCL) was heated and melted to bond the AgNPs, thus realizing a stable AgNP-composited nanofiber for the construction of antibacterial functional surface. By regulating the shell-core flow ratio and the condition for heat treatment, the appropriate thickness of the shell layer was obtained with a flow ratio of 3:1 (PCL:PGA). The optimal composite structure was constructed when the thermal bonding was taken under 80 °C for 5 min. Furthermore, it was found that the composite nanofibers prepared by thermal bonding had better hydrophilicity, mechanical property, and AgNPs bonding stability, and their antibacterial rate against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) reached over 97%. Overall, a facile and universal method for the preparation of nanoparticle-anchored nanofibers was established in this study. The robust nanoparticle-composited nanofibers are promising for applications in optoelectronic devices, electrode materials, and so on.

Optimization and characterization of a novel tea tree oil-integrated poly (ε-caprolactone)/soy protein isolate electrospun mat as a wound care system

A set of poly (ε-caprolactone)/soy protein isolate (PCL/SPI) mats with different ratios of PCL to SPI was fabricated using the electrospinning method. The mat with PCL to SPI ratio of 95:5 (PS 95:5) had the narrowest nanofibers, the highest percentage of porosity, the lowest swelling ratio, the least vapor transmission, and the slowest degradation rate among the prepared mats. The hemolysis assay indicated that all mats can be considered biocompatible biomaterials. In continue, three different weight ratios of tea tree oil (TTO) were loaded into the PS 95:5 mat. The release profiles illustrated that higher amounts of TTO could be released in an acidic environment. The antioxidant activity of the mats increased by the increase in their TTO content. The cell viability test, cell adhesion images, and live/dead assay of TTO-loaded mats affirmed that all fabricated mats were biocompatible. The scratch wound assay expressed that TTO accelerates the rate of wound closure. The TTO-loaded mats illustrated antibacterial activity against both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. The obtained outcomes revealed that TTO-loaded PCL/SPI mats can be considered promising potential wound dressings.

Electrospun Sulfonatocalix[4]arene Loaded Blended Nanofibers: Process Optimization and In Vitro Studies

In the past decade, electrospun nanofibers made of biodegradable polymers have been used for different biomedical applications due to their flexible features in terms of surface area to volume ratio, pores, and fiber size, as well as their highly tunable surface properties. Recently, interest is growing in the use of supramolecular structures in combination with electrospun nanofibers for the fabrication of bioactive platforms with improved in vitro responses, to be used for innovative therapeutic treatments. Herein, sulfonatocalix[4]arene (SCX4) was synthesized from p-tert-butyl-calix[4]arene and embedded in electrospun nanofibers made of polycaprolactone (PCL) and gelatin (GEL). The supramolecular structure of SCX4 and its efficient entrapment into electrospun fibers was confirmed by NMR spectroscopy and FTIR analysis, respectively. SEM analysis supported via image analysis enabled the investigation of the fiber morphology at the sub-micrometric scale, showing a drastic reduction in fiber diameters in the presence of SCX4: 267 ± 14 nm (without SCX) to 115 ± 5 nm (3% SCX4). Moreover, it was demonstrated that SCX4 significantly contributes to the hydrophilic properties of the fiber surface, as was confirmed by the reduction in contact angles from 54 ± 1.4° to 31 ± 5.5° as the SCX4 amount increased, while no effects on thermal stability were recognized, as was confirmed by TGA analyses. In vitro tests also confirmed that SCX4 is not cytotoxic, but plays a supporting role in L929 interactions, as was validated by the cell viability of PGC15% after 7 days, with respect to the control. These preliminary but promising data suggest their use for the fabrication of innovative platforms able to bind SCX4 to bioactive compounds and molecules for different therapeutic applications, from molecular recognition to controlled drug delivery.

Polysaccharide-based nano-delivery systems for encapsulation, delivery, and pH-responsive release of bioactive ingredients

Polysaccharides are natural polymers isolated from plants, microorganisms, algae, and some animals they are composed of aldoses or ketoses linked by glycosidic bonds. Due to the affordability, abundance, safety, and functionality, polysaccharides are widely used in the foods and medicines to construct oral delivery systems for sensitive bioactive ingredients. In this article, the characteristics and applications of nanoscale polysaccharide-based delivery carriers are reviewed, including their ability to encapsulate, protect, and deliver bioactive ingredients. This review discusses the sources, characteristics, and functional properties of common food polysaccharides, including starch, pectin, chitosan, xanthan gum, and alginate. It also highlights the potential advantages of using polysaccharides for the construction of nano-delivery systems, such as nanoparticles, nanogels, nanoemulsions, nanocapsules, and nanofibers. Moreover, the application of delivery systems assembled from polysaccharides is summarized, with a focus on pH-responsive delivery of bioactives. There are some key findings and conclusions: Nanoscale polysaccharide delivery systems provide several advantages, including improved water-dispersibility, flavor masking, stability enhancement, reduced volatility, and controlled release; Polysaccharide nanocarriers can be used to construct pH-responsive delivery vehicles to achieve intestinal-targeted delivery and controlled release of bioactive ingredients; Polysaccharides can be used in combination with other biopolymers to form composite delivery systems with enhanced functional attributes.

Medical applications of biopolymer nanofibers

A wide array of biomedical applications, extending from the fabrication of implant materials to targeted drug delivery, can be attributed to polymers. The utilization of chemical monomers to form polymers, such as polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyethylene, can provide high mechanical stability to them and they can be utilized for diverse electronic or thermal applications. However, certain chemical-based synthetic polymers are toxic to humans, animals, plants, and microbial cells. Thus, biopolymers have been introduced as an alternative to make them utilizable for biomedical applications. Even though biopolymers possess beneficial biomedical applications, they are not stable in biological fluids and exhibit toxicity in certain cases. Recent advances in nanotechnology have expanded its applicational significance in various domains, especially in the evolution of biopolymers to transform them into nanoparticles for numerous biomedical applications. In particular, biopolymers are fabricated as nanofibers to enhance their biological properties and to be utilized for exclusive biomedical applications. The aim of this review is to present an overview of various biopolymer nanofibers and their distinct synthesis approaches. In addition, the medical applications of biopolymer nanofibers, including antimicrobial agents, drug delivery systems, biosensor production, tissue engineering, and implant fabrication, are also discussed.

Development of Multiscale Composite with Hybrid Natural Nanofibers

Natural nanofibers are widely used in the field of medicine, but the low strength of these nanofibers is one of the major concerns. A number of factors, importantly the composition, affect the strength of natural nanofibers. The purpose of the current study is to ascertain the effect of the composition of natural nanofibers on the strength of hybrid composites formed using these nanofibers. Hybrid composites formed using 32% volume glass fibre with optimized volume fraction of 0.5% of pure Cellulose Acetate (CA), and 0.5% CA + Hemp Seed (HS) for this study to carry out the analysis. Hybrid composites were produced with vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) by collecting natural nanofibers, produced using the electrospinning process, over glass fiber mats. The electrospinning process was carried out with 12 kV, 10 cm tip to the collector gap, and 12% concentration of the solution. The tensile strength of the hybrid composites was measured using the universal testing machine (UTM). The results showed that the diameter of the electrospun nanofiber varied between 50 and 1400 nm and was affected by solution concentration, voltage, tip-to-collector distance, flow rate, and inclusion of HS in CA. The inclusion of HS in CA, for all compositions, decreased the fiber diameter and caused the formation of beads prominently at higher concentrations. Hybrid composites formed from nanofibers produced using CA and HS showed higher elastic modulus (232 MPa) and tensile strength (20.4 GPa) as compared with nanofibers produced using CA only (elastic modulus = 110 MPa and 13.7 GPa).

Advances in Electrospun Hybrid Nanofibers for Biomedical Applications

Electrospun hybrid nanofibers, based on functional agents immobilized in polymeric matrix, possess a unique combination of collective properties. These are beneficial for a wide range of applications, which include theranostics, filtration, catalysis, and tissue engineering, among others. The combination of functional agents in a nanofiber matrix offer accessibility to multifunctional nanocompartments with significantly improved mechanical, electrical, and chemical properties, along with better biocompatibility and biodegradability. This review summarizes recent work performed for the fabrication, characterization, and optimization of different hybrid nanofibers containing varieties of functional agents, such as laser ablated inorganic nanoparticles (NPs), which include, for instance, gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) and titanium nitride nanoparticles (TiNPs), perovskites, drugs, growth factors, and smart, inorganic polymers. Biocompatible and biodegradable polymers such as chitosan, cellulose, and polycaprolactone are very promising macromolecules as a nanofiber matrix for immobilizing such functional agents. The assimilation of such polymeric matrices with functional agents that possess wide varieties of characteristics require a modified approach towards electrospinning techniques such as coelectrospinning and template spinning. Additional focus within this review is devoted to the state of the art for the implementations of these approaches as viable options for the achievement of multifunctional hybrid nanofibers. Finally, recent advances and challenges, in particular, mass fabrication and prospects of hybrid nanofibers for tissue engineering and biomedical applications have been summarized.

Marine Biopolymers as Bioactive Functional Ingredients of Electrospun Nanofibrous Scaffolds for Biomedical Applications

Marine biopolymers, abundantly present in seaweeds and marine animals, feature diverse structures and functionalities, and possess a wide range of beneficial biological activities. Characterized by high biocompatibility and biodegradability, as well as unique physicochemical properties, marine biopolymers are attracting a constantly increasing interest for the development of advanced systems for applications in the biomedical field. The development of electrospinning offers an innovative technological platform for the production of nonwoven nanofibrous scaffolds with increased surface area, high encapsulation efficacy, intrinsic interconnectivity, and structural analogy to the natural extracellular matrix. Marine biopolymer-based electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds with multifunctional characteristics and tunable mechanical properties now attract significant attention for biomedical applications, such as tissue engineering, drug delivery, and wound healing. The present review, covering the literature up to the end of 2021, highlights the advancements in the development of marine biopolymer-based electrospun nanofibers for their utilization as cell proliferation scaffolds, bioadhesives, release modifiers, and wound dressings.

ELECTROSPUN SODIUM ALGINATE/POLY(ETHYLENE OXIDE) NANOFIBERS FOR WOUND HEALING APPLICATIONS: CHALLENGES AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS

Alginate is an interesting natural biopolymer to be considered for biomedical applications due to its advantages and good biological properties. These biological properties make electrospun alginate nanofibers suitable for various uses in the biomedical field, such as wound healing dressings, drug delivery systems, or both. Unfortunately, the fabrication of alginate nanofibers by electrospinning is very challenging because of the high viscosity of the solution, high surface tension and rigidity in water due to hydrogen bonding, and also their diaxial linkages. This review presents an overview of the factors affecting the electrospinning process of sodium alginate/poly(ethylene oxide) (SA/PEO), the application of SA/PEO in drug delivery systems for wound healing applications, and the degradation and swelling properties of SA/PEO. The challenges and future directions of SA/PEO in the medical field are also discussed.

Drug Delivery Applications of Coaxial Electrospun Nanofibres in Cancer Therapy

Cancer is one of the most serious health problems and the second leading cause of death worldwide, and with an ageing and growing population, problems related to cancer will continue. In the battle against cancer, many therapies and anticancer drugs have been developed. Chemotherapy and relevant drugs are widely used in clinical practice; however, their applications are always accompanied by severe side effects. In recent years, the drug delivery system has been improved by nanotechnology to reduce the adverse effects of the delivered drugs. Among the different candidates, core-sheath nanofibres prepared by coaxial electrospinning are outstanding due to their unique properties, including their large surface area, high encapsulation efficiency, good mechanical property, multidrug loading capacity, and ability to govern drug release kinetics. Therefore, encapsulating drugs in coaxial electrospun nanofibres is a desirable method for controlled and sustained drug release. This review summarises the drug delivery applications of coaxial electrospun nanofibres with different structures and drugs for various cancer treatments.

Tunable Spun Fiber Constructs in Biomedicine: Influence of Processing Parameters in the Fibers' Architecture

Electrospinning and wet-spinning have been recognized as two of the most efficient and promising techniques for producing polymeric fibrous constructs for a wide range of applications, including optics, electronics, food industry and biomedical applications. They have gained considerable attention in the past few decades because of their unique features and tunable architectures that can mimic desirable biological features, responding more effectively to local demands. In this review, various fiber architectures and configurations, varying from monolayer and core-shell fibers to tri-axial, porous, multilayer, side-by-side and helical fibers, are discussed, highlighting the influence of processing parameters in the final constructs. Additionally, the envisaged biomedical purposes for the examined fiber architectures, mainly focused on drug delivery and tissue engineering applications, are explored at great length.

Electrospinning and Additive Manufacturing: Adding Three-Dimensionality to Electrospun Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering

The final biochemical and mechanical performance of an implant or scaffold are defined by its structure, as well as the raw materials and processing conditions used during its fabrication. Electrospinning and Additive Manufacturing (AM) are two contrasting processing technologies that have gained popularity amongst the fields of medical research i.e., tissue engineering, implant design, drug delivery. Electrospinning technology is favored for its ability to produce micro- to nanometer fibers from polymer solutions and melts, of which, the dimensions, alignment, porosity, and chemical composition are easily manipulatable to the desired application. AM, on the other hand, offers unrivalled levels of geometrical freedom, allowing highly complex components (i.e., patient-specific) to be built inexpensively within 24 hours. Hence, adopting both technologies together appears to be a progressive step in pursuit of scaffolds that better match the natural architecture of human tissues. Here, we present recent insights into the advances on hybrid scaffolds produced by combining electrospinning (melt electrospinning excluded) and AM, specifically multi-layered architectures consisting of alternating fibers and AM elements, and bioinks reinforced with fibers prior to AM. We discuss how cellular behavior (attachment, migration, and differentiation) is influenced by the co-existence of these micro- and nano-features.

Comparing Antibiotic Pastes with Electrospun Nanofibers as Modern Drug Delivery Systems for Regenerative Endodontics

Nanomaterials have various features that make these types of materials able to be applied in different biomedical applications like, diagnosis, treatment, and drug delivery. Using such materials in endodontic filed both to face the challenges that occur during treatment processes and to make these materials have an antibacterial effect without showing any harm on the host cells. The approach of nanofibers loaded with various antibacterial drugs offers a potential treatment method to enhance the elimination procedure of intracanal biofilms. Clinically, many models of bacterial biofilms have been prepared under in vitro conditions for different aims. The process of drug delivery from polymeric nanofibers is based on the principle that the releasing ratio of drug molecules increases due to the increase in the surface area of the hosted structure. In our review, we discuss diverse approaches of loading/releasing drugs on/from nanofibers and we summarized many studies about electrospun nanofibers loaded various drugs applied in the endodontic field. Moreover, we argued both the advantages and the limitations of these modern endodontic treatment materials comparing them with the traditional ones.

Coaxial Electrospun PLLA Fibers Modified with Water-Soluble Materials for Oligodendrocyte Myelination

Myelin sheaths are essential in maintaining the integrity of axons. Development of the platform for in vitro myelination would be especially useful for demyelinating disease modeling and drug screening. In this study, a fiber scaffold with a core-shell structure was prepared in one step by the coaxial electrospinning method. A high-molecular-weight polymer poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) was used as the core, while the shell was a natural polymer material such as hyaluronic acid (HA), sodium alginate (SA), or chitosan (CS). The morphology, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR), contact angle, viability assay, and in vitro myelination by oligodendrocytes were characterized. The results showed that such fibers are bead-free and continuous, with an average size from 294 ± 53 to 390 ± 54 nm. The DSC and FTIR curves indicated no changes in the phase state of coaxial brackets. Hyaluronic acid/PLLA coaxial fibers had the minimum contact angle (53.1° ± 0.24°). Myelin sheaths were wrapped around a coaxial electrospun scaffold modified with water-soluble materials after a 14-day incubation. All results suggest that such a scaffold prepared by coaxial electrospinning potentially provides a novel platform for oligodendrocyte myelination.

Recent developments in polysaccharide-based electrospun nanofibers for environmental applications

Electrospinning has become an inevitable approach to produce nanofibrous structures for diverse environmental applications. Polysaccharides, due to their variety of types, biobased origins, and eco-friendly, and renewable nature are wonderful materials for the said purpose. The present review discusses the electrospinning process, the parameters involved in the formation of electrospun nanofibers in general, and the polysaccharides in specific. The selection of materials to be electrospun depends on the processing conditions and properties deemed desirable for specific applications. Thereby, the conditions to electrospun polysaccharides-based nanofibers have been focused on for possible environmental applications including air filtration, water treatment, antimicrobial treatment, environmental sensing, and so forth. The polysaccharide-based electrospun membranes, for instance, due to their active adsorption sites could find significant potential for contaminants removal from the aqueous systems. The study also gives some recommendations to overcome any shortcomings faced during the electrospinning and environmental applications of polysaccharide-based matrices.

Electrospinning for drug delivery applications: A review

Drug delivery devices are promising tools in the pharmaceutical field, as they are able to maximize the therapeutic effects of the delivered drug while minimizing the undesired side effects. In the past years, electrospun nanofibers attracted rising attention due to their unique features, like biocompatibility and broad flexibility. Incorporation of active principles in nanofibrous meshes proved to be an efficient method for in situ delivery of a wide range of drugs, expanding the possibility and applicability of those devices. In this review, the principle of electrospinning and different fields of applications are treated to give an overview of the recent literature, underlining the easy tuning and endless combination of this technique, that in the future could be the new frontier of personalized medicine.

Advances in Fabricating the Electrospun Biopolymer-Based Biomaterials

Biopolymers formed into a fibrous morphology through electrospinning are of increasing interest in the field of biomedicine due to their intrinsic biocompatibility and biodegradability and their ability to be biomimetic to various fibrous structures present in animal tissues. However, their mechanical properties are often unsatisfactory and their processing may be troublesome. Thus, extensive research interest is focused on improving these qualities. This review article presents the selection of the recent advances in techniques aimed to improve the electrospinnability of various biopolymers (polysaccharides, polynucleotides, peptides, and phospholipids). The electrospinning of single materials, and the variety of co-polymers, with and without additives, is covered. Additionally, various crosslinking strategies are presented. Examples of cytocompatibility, biocompatibility, and antimicrobial properties are analyzed. Special attention is given to whey protein isolate as an example of a novel, promising, green material with good potential in the field of biomedicine. This review ends with a brief summary and outlook for the biomedical applicability of electrospinnable biopolymers.

Clindamycin-Based 3D-Printed and Electrospun Coatings for Treatment of Implant-Related Infections

This study presents the development and characterisation of two novel bioactive coatings deposited on TiAlV and AISI 316LVM substrates. The coatings were prepared using 3D printing and electrospinning. The 3D-printed coating consisted of the cellulose nanofibril suspension, alginate, and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), while CMC and polyethylene oxide were used to prepare the electrospun coating. Both coatings were loaded with the antibiotic clindamycin (CLIN), which is a bacteriostatic lincosamide known for its activity against streptococci, staphylococci, pneumococci, Bacteroides species, and other anaerobes. Initial characterisation of the coatings was performed by attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. Furthermore, the contact angle measurements, swelling rate, and biodegradability of the coatings were investigated. The released concentration of CLIN in PBS (pH = 7.4 at 25 °C) was determined by UV-VIS spectrophotometry. The coatings’ biocompatibility was determined using an MTT (3(4,5 dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay using an osteoblast cell culture (hFOB 1.19, ATCC CRL 11372).

3D Printed Masks for Powders and Viruses Safety Protection Using Food Grade Polymers: Empirical Tests

The production of 3D printed safety protection devices (SPD) requires particular attention to the material selection and to the evaluation of mechanical resistance, biological safety and surface roughness related to the accumulation of bacteria and viruses. We explored the possibility to adopt additive manufacturing technologies for the production of respirator masks, responding to the sudden demand of SPDs caused by the emergency scenario of the pandemic spread of SARS-COV-2. In this study, we developed different prototypes of masks, exclusively applying basic additive manufacturing technologies like fused deposition modeling (FDM) and droplet-based precision extrusion deposition (db-PED) to common food packaging materials. We analyzed the resulting mechanical characteristics, biological safety (cell adhesion and viability), surface roughness and resistance to dissolution, before and after the cleaning and disinfection phases. We showed that masks 3D printed with home-grade printing equipment have similar performances compared to the industrial-grade ones, and furthermore we obtained a perfect face fit by customizing their shape. Finally, we developed novel approaches to the additive manufacturing post-processing phases essential to assure human safety in the production of 3D printed custom medical devices.

Biodegradable Composite Nanofiber Containing Fish-Scale Extracts

A biodegradable composite nanofiber containing polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) or modified PHA (MPHA) and treated fish-scale powder (TFSP) was prepared and characterized. The powder (20-80 nm) was prepared by grinding after treating FSP with water, acid, and heat (450 °C) to yield the TFSP. Composite nanofibers (100-500 nm long) of TFSP/PHA and TFSP/MPHA were fabricated by electrospinning using a biaxial feed method. The TFSP, which had a high hydroxyapatite content, was suitable as a filler for composites. The Ca/P ratio of the TFSP was similar to that of the human bone. Particle size analysis and analysis of scanning electron microscopy images indicated that, compared with the PHA/TFSP composite, the MPHA/TFSP nanofibers were more uniform and bonded more strongly in the matrix. The tensile strength at failure of the MPHA/TFSP specimens was enhanced and increased with increasing TFSP content. The elongation at failure was lower and decreased with increasing TFSP concentration. The water contact angle decreased with increasing TFSP content in PHA/TFSP and MPHA/TFSP nanofiber membranes. The TFSP enhanced the hydrophilic effect of the PHA/TFSP and MPHA/TFSP nanofiber membranes and provided a more suitable environment for cell growth. This composite nanofiber has potential in many biomedical applications.

Next-generation surgical meshes for drug delivery and tissue engineering applications: materials, design and emerging manufacturing technologies

Abstract

Surgical meshes have been employed in the management of a variety of pathological conditions including hernia, pelvic floor dysfunctions, periodontal guided bone regeneration, wound healing and more recently for breast plastic surgery after mastectomy. These common pathologies affect a wide portion of the worldwide population; therefore, an effective and enhanced treatment is crucial to ameliorate patients’ living conditions both from medical and aesthetic points of view. At present, non-absorbable synthetic polymers are the most widely used class of biomaterials for the manufacturing of mesh implants for hernia, pelvic floor dysfunctions and guided bone regeneration, with polypropylene and poly tetrafluoroethylene being the most common. Biological prostheses, such as surgical grafts, have been employed mainly for breast plastic surgery and wound healing applications. Despite the advantages of mesh implants to the treatment of these conditions, there are still many drawbacks, mainly related to the arising of a huge number of post-operative complications, among which infections are the most common. Developing a mesh that could appropriately integrate with the native tissue, promote its healing and constructive remodelling, is the key aim of ongoing research in the area of surgical mesh implants. To this end, the adoption of new biomaterials including absorbable and natural polymers, the use of drugs and advanced manufacturing technologies, such as 3D printing and electrospinning, are under investigation to address the previously mentioned challenges and improve the outcomes of future clinical practice. The aim of this work is to review the key advantages and disadvantages related to the use of surgical meshes, the main issues characterizing each clinical procedure and the future directions in terms of both novel manufacturing technologies and latest regulatory considerations.

Graphic abstract

Preparation and characterization of gelatin/chitosan/3-phenylacetic acid food-packaging nanofiber antibacterial films by electrospinning

In this study, antibacterial nanofiber films were prepared by electrospinning gelatin, chitosan, and 3-phenyllactic acid (PLA). The addition of PLA improved the microstructures of the nanofibers, and the nanofiber films (GCP-1 and GCP-2) had uniform and continuous structures with a diameter range of 40--70 nm when the PLA concentrations in the polymers were 1% and 2%. Under acidic conditions, chitosan and PLA interacted and formed hydrogen bonds, which decreased the crystallinity of the nanofiber films. The GCP-2 nanofiber film had the best thermal stability, water stability, and water vapor permeability. Compared with the control GCP-0 film, the four nanofiber films with PLA (GCP-1, GCP-2, GCP-3, and GCP-4) had more effective antibacterial effects, and GCP-2 film reduced approximately 4 log CFU/mL of Salmonella enterica Enteritidis and Staphylococcus aureus in 30 min. Results suggested that the GCP-2 nanofiber film mat can be used as an active food packaging.

Antibiotic-free combinational hyaluronic acid blend nanofibers for wound healing enhancement

An innovative approach in the functionalization of nanofibers (NFs) for wound healing relies on non-antibiotic combinational therapy to subdue microbial invasion while reducing antimicrobial resistance and enhancing healing. Despite great potentials, wound healing efficacy of NFs embedding antimicrobial metal nanoparticles (NPs)/essential oils has been scarcely documented. We developed combinational NFs using an electrospinnable hyaluronic acid/polyvinyl alcohol/polyethylene oxide blend embedding a new ZnO NPs/cinnamon essential oil (CEO) antimicrobial combination. Fourier transform infrared, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy confirmed the presence of HA and distribution of ZnO NPs and CEO within NFs. Results for mean diameter, thermal stability, hydrophilicity, tensile strength, in vitro biodegradability, and cytocompatibility of crosslinked combinational NFs were intermediate between those of their singly loaded counterparts. All NFs inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Compared with singly loaded NFs, combinational NFs showed the greatest healing efficacy of full thickness S. aureus inoculated incision wounds in rats in terms of bacterial inhibition following a single application, healing speed, and quality of skin structure recovery as verified by morphological, microbiological, and histopathological studies. Results highlighted the potentials of metal NPs/essential oil functionalization of nanofibrous wound dressings as an emerging antibiotic-free combinational approach for more effective and safer wound healing.