Catechol functionalized polyguluronate enriched sodium alginate wetspun fibers with immobilized platelet lysate for diabetic wound healing

Abstract

The development of advanced wound dressings with multifunctional properties is crucial for accelerating healing in diabetic wounds. Platelet lysate contains many biologically active substances, which have tremendous clinical benefits in treating diabetic wounds. However, its clinical use and therapeutic efficacy are severely limited by its poor mechanical qualities and the sudden release of active chemicals. To address these challenges and minimize the risk of wound infection, sodium alginate–polyethylene glycol wetspun fibers were developed and immobilized with platelet lysate. Furthermore, surface modification with dopamine introduced catechol groups, enhancing interfacial adhesion and bioactivity to promote effective healing in diabetic wounds. Morphological and physicochemical analyses confirmed improved thermal stability and crystalline behavior in the dopamine modified fibers (SA-PEG-D-PL). The modified fibers achieved sustained PL release over 18 days with 90% cumulative release, a 30% improvement over free PL and a 20% improvement over unmodified fibers. The whole blood clotting index demonstrated a notably lower BCI of 15% for dopamine functionalized fibers, indicating enhanced coagulation potential due to increased surface striation and water absorption. Moreover, in a diabetic mice wound model, the functionalized fibers drove >85% wound closure by day 7 and complete reepithelialization by day 14, while reducing scar formation to a scar index of 7.3, significantly lower than controls (22–42.6). These outcomes suggest that the synergistic effects of dopamine functionalization and PL immobilization on alginate based fibrous matrices not only improve mechanical and biological responses but also accelerate wound closure and minimize scarring. Overall, the developed dopamine modified fibers demonstrate high potential as an advanced wound care material for diabetic patients.