Development and Assessment of Rutin/Betamethasone-Loaded PAN-PVP Nanofibers for Wound Healing Applications
Badriyah Shadid Alotaibi, Azka Sana, Han Cheng, Haya Yasin, Xianju Huang, Sana Rafique, Abida Kalsoom Khan, Munaza Ijaz, Ghulam MurtazaIntroduction:
This study aimed to fabricate dual drug-loaded electrospun nanofibers composed of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) incorporating betamethasone dipropionate and rutin hydrate for improved wound healing.
Methods:
The nanofibers were characterized by various approaches, including SEM, FTIR, TGA, and XRD.
Results:
SEM images confirmed the formation of nanofibers with beaded morphology due to low solution viscosity. FTIR confirmed the presence of all components, while TGA indicated improved thermal stability upon drug loading. Franz-cell diffusion studies showed sustained drug release, and antibacterial assessments demonstrated effective inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. In vivo, the drug-loaded nanofibers significantly accelerated wound contraction within 17 days. Histopathological evaluation (H&E staining) confirmed enhanced re-epithelialization and collagen organization compared to the marketed formulation.
Discussion:
The combined anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of betamethasone and rutin, delivered through a PAN–PVP fibrous matrix, contributed to rapid tissue repair, reduced inflammation, and effective microbial control. The sustained release behavior and favorable physicochemical properties underscore the suitability of the PAN–PVP system for multifunctional wound dressings. These findings highlight the potential translational value of dual-drug electrospun nanofibers as an advanced therapeutic option for managing complex wounds.
Conclusion:
These findings demonstrate the potential of PAN–PVP nanofibers as a wound dressing platform for localized transdermal delivery.