Functionalization of Cotton Nonwoven Dressings with Herbal Compound-Loaded PHBV Short Nanofibers and Gelatin Hydrogel Coating for Accelerated Diabetic Wound Healing

The healing of diabetic wounds is a complex process involving multiple physiological mechanisms, which necessitates an appropriate microenvironment to effectively facilitate the healing process. Recently, advanced wound dressings constructed by functionalizing cotton nonwovens with appropriate structures and biological properties have aroused intensive interest in chronic wound treatment and care. The present study fabricated composite dressings by coating cotton nonwoven webs with UV-cross-linked methacrylated gelatin (Megel) hydrogels containing Salvia miltiorrhiza-Radix Puerariae/polyhydroxyalkanoate-loaded short nanofibers (SP: 632 ± 191 nm diameter, 2.9 ± 2.7 μm length). The composite dressings exhibited a uniform microporous structure (pore size: 24.2 ± 9.2 μm), superior water retention (85.8 ± 0.3% after 2 h), and markedly improved mechanical properties (Young's modulus: 6.8 ± 1.3 MPa; elongation at break: 153.8 ± 10.4%). Additionally, they demonstrated excellent performance in swelling, biodegradation, and free radical scavenging. All composite dressings demonstrated excellent biosafety and rapid hemostasis in liver bleeding models. Critically, the Cotton&Megel + SP-3% dressing accelerated diabetic mouse wound closure to ∼98% within 18 days, which also reduced early inflammation and markedly improved regenerated tissue quality by promoting collagen deposition, angiogenesis, and hair follicle formation. These results indicate that our composite dressings made from SP, Megel hydrogel, and cotton nonwoven hold significant potential as advanced dressing candidates for diabetic wound treatment.