Smart Delivery Platform Using Core-Shell Nanofibers for Sequential Drug Release in Wound Healing

An effective approach to accelerating wound healing isthrougha smart delivery platform that releases drugs according to the needsof different healing periods. With the growing demand for wound careand treatment, electrospun nanofibers have attracted considerableattention owing to their simple and versatile method of manufacturing,unique structure, and biological functions similar to those of theextracellular matrix. Moreover, nanofibers can be loaded with activesubstances that promote targeted wound healing. In this study, weinvestigated the performance of a core-shell nanofiber platformloaded with two drugs in the core and shell, respectively. The shellpolymer, poly-l-lactic acid, initially releases the encapsulateddrug into an aqueous solution at room temperature. Gold nanorods withnear-infrared absorbance were incorporated in the core polymer poly-(N-isopropylacrylamide) to produce localized heat by plasmonresonance when exposed to light. This allows the thermally responsivecore polymer to swell and shrink for programmable drug release. Ourstudy provides a versatile platform for controlled and safe drug deliveryto wound sites and could be applied to the treatment of other topicaldiseases.