Electrospun chitosan nanofibers for regenerative wound healing: from molecular design to functional scaffolds

Abstract

The management of acute and chronic wounds remains a clinical challenge due to infection, delayed re-epithelialization, and impaired angiogenesis. Electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds have emerged as promising biomaterials, offering high surface area-to-volume ratios, tunable porosity, and ECM-like architectures. Chitosan, derived from chitin, is a biocompatible, biodegradable, and antimicrobial natural polymer ideally suited for wound healing. Electrospun chitosan nanofibres support cellular proliferation, modulate inflammation, and promote tissue regeneration. This review examines recent advances in the fabrication and biomedical applications of electrospun chitosan-based nanofibres for wound healing. Key electrospinning parameters, such as polymer concentration, molecular weight, solution viscosity, and applied voltage, are discussed. Various electrospinning strategies, including blend, coaxial, emulsion, and multilayer methods, are explored for encapsulating therapeutic agents, controlling drug release, and enhancing scaffold performance. The influence of polymer blends, crosslinking methods, and solvent systems on nanofibre morphology and mechanical integrity is also examined. Significantly, this work bridges materials design with clinical functionality, offering a roadmap for translating molecular-level chitosan modifications and nanostructure control into precision medicine. Beyond wound healing, the fabrication strategies and design principles discussed herein hold broad relevance for the fields of materials science and biomedical engineering, particularly in developing next-generation bioresponsive materials, tissue scaffolds, and drug delivery systems. As the field evolves, electrospun chitosan nanofibres are poised to play a pivotal role in advancing smart, adaptive, and regenerative biomaterials for diverse therapeutic applications.