Exploring multi-component nanofiber architectures of ZnO, curcumin, and andrographis paniculata for advanced wound care applications

Nanofiber wound dressings (NFWDs) have become a promising biomaterial for wound care and tissue regeneration engineering. Significant factors that facilitate their reliable use in wound care includes, (i) ECM mimicry architecture, (ii) biocompatibility of polymers, (iii) capabilities for drug inclusion, (iv) biodegradability possibilities. Though single component NFWDs could provide the required structural integrity and biocompatibility, they become insufficient in satisfying the requirements of complex wound healing process which demands, simultaneous exudate absorption, maintaining moist environment, sustained drug release, antimicrobial functions, tissue regeneration. In addition, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) demands using novel and nature-derived drugs with wound dressings. Hence, multi-component wound dressing (MCWD) that integrate multiple functional components, nature derived drugs are vastly investigated to harvest the synergistic effect of its ingredient. This review investigates, the biomedical potentials of ZnO, Curcumin and Andrographis paniculata with the objective of exploring the feasibility of developing a MCWD integrating them in the form of a nano fibrous membrane. The article begins with the review of (i) wound healing potential, (ii) integrated nano fibrous realization and (iii) limitations of using ZnO nanoparticles, curcumin and Andrographis paniculata. Further, the article presents a brief introduction to electrospinning along with the methods employed for obtaining desired fiber properties. In addition, the synergistic benefits harvested by integrating the materials are presented and characterization, bio-activity testing to be conducted for validating the efficacy of a wound healing material are revealed. Finally, methods employed for addressing the limitations are presented. This article offers two-fold benefits, (i) it reveals NF fabrication methods, characterization, testing methods and (ii) presents the bio medical potentials of ZnO, Curcumin and Andrographis paniculata. Thus, this review could act as a reliable and readily understandable resource for promoting wound care research and development.