A Novel Polycaprolactone Composite Nanofiber Dressing Co-Loaded With Propolis and Silver Nanoparticles for Faster Wound Healing: In Vivo Evidence.

Abstract

This study developed and evaluated a novel composite electrospun nanofiber wound dressing co-loaded with propolis (PP) and PP-functionalized silver nanoparticles (PP-AgNPs) in a polycaprolactone (PCL) matrix for accelerated wound healing. Three types of mats-neat PCL, PCL/PP (10 wt.%), and PCL/PP-AgNPs (10 wt.%)-were fabricated. Incorporation of PP-AgNPs significantly altered the solution properties, increasing conductivity to 891.0 ± 3.9 μS and reducing the mean fiber diameter to 256 ± 63 nm, compared to 693 ± 245 nm for neat PCL. In vivo assessment using a full-thickness rat wound model over 14 days demonstrated that the PCL/PP-AgNPs composite dressing (Group 6) superiorly promoted healing. It achieved near-complete wound closure (99.8%), significantly enhanced wound contraction rates, and improved histological outcomes, including complete re-epithelialization and dense, organized collagen deposition. Biochemical analyses revealed that the PCL/PP-AgNPs dressing effectively modulated the wound microenvironment by reducing oxidative stress (increased SOD, decreased MDA) and suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α). Furthermore, it exhibited protective effects on liver (ALT, AST) and kidney (Urea, Creatinine) functions. The synergistic combination of PP's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties with the antimicrobial and bioactive effects of AgNPs, delivered via a nanostructured PCL fiber matrix, validates this composite as a highly effective and multifunctional dressing for faster, more complete wound repair.