Optimized fabrication of nanochitosan/PLA nanofiber wound dressings for diabetic wound healing: In vivo evaluation and performance analysis

Diabetic ulcers are chronic complications that are difficult to manage because of the high risk of infection and increased antimicrobial resistance, necessitating the development of more effective wound dressings. This study aimed to optimize the electrospinning parameters and nanochitosan (NCS) composition within a polylactic acid (PLA) system to produce nanofiber-based wound dressings with superior biological performance. This approach integrates Response Surface Methodology (RSM)-based optimization with in vivo evaluation. The optimization results showed that under optimal conditions—namely, an NCS concentration of 5.76%, a flow rate of 8.03 mL/h, and a voltage of 21.64 kV—uniform, bead-free nanofibers with an average diameter of 397 nm were produced. The addition of NCS significantly increased the material elasticity, as indicated by an elongation at break of approximately 76%. Furthermore, hydrophilicity was enhanced, as evidenced by a reduction in the water contact angle from 114.52° to 65.3°, indicating improved material interaction with the wound fluid. The antibacterial activity also increased with increasing NCS concentration. An in vivo study in diabetic rats infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) showed that the use of these nanofiber dressings accelerated the wound healing process compared to commercial dressings, as demonstrated by reduced inflammation, decreased bacterial colonization, and more organized collagen deposition. This study scientifically demonstrates the interrelationship between process parameters, nanofiber structure, and biological performance. The optimized PLA/NCS nanofibers exhibited a superior combination of mechanical, antibacterial, and regenerative properties, thus holding potential as an innovative solution for more effective and sustainable diabetic wound therapy.