Transparent spin-coated chitosan–hyaluronic acid/MgO nanocomposite films for multifunctional open wound healing and visual wound assessment

Abstract

Optically transparent wound dressings have emerged as advanced platforms for real-time monitoring of tissue repair while maintaining an optimal healing microenvironment. Herein, we report the fabrication of multifunctional transparent thin-film dressings based on chitosan (CS), hyaluronic acid (HA), and magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles (NPs) via a scalable spin-coating approach. MgO NPs were synthesized using a sol–gel method, yielding nanoscale particles with high crystallinity, as confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis in agreement with ICDD standards. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy verified the incorporation of characteristic functional groups and the successful integration of MgO within the polymeric matrix. The incorporation of MgO NPs enhanced the crystallinity of the CS films, while HA contributed to improved swelling behavior, indicating superior moisture retention capacity essential for wound healing. Surface wettability studies revealed that pure CS films exhibited high hydrophilicity, whereas composite films (CS/HA and CS/HA/MgO) displayed moderate hydrophobicity, providing enhanced structural stability. All thin-film patches demonstrated excellent hemocompatibility, with hemolysis values below 4%, confirming their suitability for biomedical applications. Notably, the CS/HA/MgO films exhibited pronounced antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, highlighting their potential for infection control. Furthermore, in vivo wound healing and CAM assay results demonstrated enhanced angiogenesis and accelerated wound closure, with significant healing progression observed by day 14 compared to the control group. Histological analysis confirmed the formation of well-organized epidermal and dermal layers, indicating effective tissue regeneration. The synergistic integration of CS, HA, and MgO NPs resulted in thin film patches with improved surface characteristics, biocompatibility, antibacterial activity, and biodegradability. Overall, this study presents a facile strategy for developing transparent, multifunctional wound dressings with combined capabilities of wound monitoring, infection prevention, and enhanced tissue regeneration, highlighting their strong potential for next-generation wound care applications.