Fabrication of Tannic Acid Crosslinked Gelatin-CMC Based Electrospun Matrix for Combatting Antibacterial Resistance in Infected Wounds

Abstract

The global rise in antibiotic-resistant infections has become a critical challenge in wound management, with conventional treatments often proving ineffective. Electrospun nanofibers offer a promising solution by providing a versatile platform that combines antimicrobial efficacy with enhanced wound healing capabilities. Herein, this study pioneers an advanced electrospun nanofiber matrix, designed to revolutionize wound care by simultaneously addressing antibiotic resistance and promoting superior wound healing. The naofibrous matrix integrates gelatin and CMC, with TA serving as a crosslinker, significantly reinforcing both its structural integrity(up to 1.70±0.46 MPa) and biocompatibility (< 2%). The innovative synergy of these biopolymers endows the matrix with extraordinary antimicrobial potency, exhibiting unmatched efficacy against both pathogenic Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains—surpassing the capabilities of current commercial alternatives compromised by emerging resistance. This extraordinary performance stems from unmatched physicochemical properties of the developed matrix, featuring exceptional water uptake and a beneficial amorphous state, which together create an ideal environment for rapid, superior wound healing. In vitro assays, alongside excisional wound studies in mice, demonstrated that wounds treated with the fabricated matrix exhibited significantly accelerated and more effective healing compared to the control groups, achieving up to 95% wound closure across all bacterial species tested. To unravel the sophisticated interactions between matrix components and bacterial cells, in silico simulations were employed, providing a deep mechanistic understanding of its superior performance. The findings underscore the potential of this advanced electrospun matrix as a multifaceted platform for next-generation wound care, providing a robust solution to the escalating issue of antibiotic-resistant infections while fostering an optimal healing environment.