A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Hierarchically structured fiber scaffold incorporating functionalized microspheres for sustained drug release and treatment of infected wounds
Authors: Feng, Hao; Zhang, Gonghao; Zhang, Sidong; Han, Lu; Yuan, Zhengchao; Yu, Xiao; Lou, Shuqi; Ji, Yunhan; Shafiq, Muhammad; EL-Newehy, Mohamed; Abdulhameed, Meera Moydeen; Mo, Xiumei; Gao, Changyou; Ren, Yijiu
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Publication year: 2026
Journal: Chemical Engineering Journal
Article number: 172113
Volume: 527
ISSN: 1385-8947
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2025.172113
Publication's open availability at the time of reporting: No Open Access
Publication channel's open availability : Partially Open Access publication channel
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2025.172113
Infectious wounds with exaggerated reactive oxygen species in surrounding tissues can significantly impede high-quality skin tissue repair, which necessitates alternative wound management strategies. Hyperbranched poly-l-lysine (HBPL) is a broad-spectrum cationic antimicrobial polypeptide with potent bactericidal activity and good biocompatibility, making it a promising alternative to conventional antibiotics. Similarly, chlorogenic acid (CGA) is a natural plant-derived polyphenol, which possesses strong free radical scavenging ability and anti-inflammatory potential. Herein, we have explored the synergistic effect of HBPL and CGA to promote anti-infective wound healing in electrospun poly(l-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone)/silk fibroin (PLCL/SF) fibers. The HBPL was directly loaded into the fibers while CGA was first chelated onto the surface of hollow mesoporous silica microspheres via metal coordination and these microspheres were loaded into fibers for sustained release. The composite scaffold exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity by modulating macrophages polarization towards anti-inflammatory phenotype. Besides, scaffolds exhibited distinct antibacterial efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli in vitro. Moreover, in vivo evaluation of these dressings in a Staphylococcus aureus infected full-thickness excisional defect model significantly promoted epithelial reconstruction, resolved inflammation, scavenged reactive oxygen clearance, and enhanced the deposition of collagen 2 weeks post-operatively, and outperformed all control groups. This multidimensional synergistic wound healing strategy presents a promising therapeutic platform for the effective management of infected wounds.
Funding information in the publication:
This research was supported by the Medical-Engineering Interdisciplinary Collaborative Project (Grants No. 2023DHYGJC-YBB04) between Shanghai Tongren Hospital and Donghua University, the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (project number YG2024QNA62), and Program of Changning District Health Committee (2022QN03). This project was also supported by Ongoing Research Funding program (ORF-2025-65), King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.