Electrospun Membranes for Diabetic Wound Healing: Advances, Challenges, and Future Directions.

Abstract

Diabetic wounds pose a significant clinical challenge due to impaired healing, increased susceptibility to infections, and high risk of severe complications. Conventional wound dressings, such as hydrogels, membranes, and hydrocolloids, often fall short in effectively managing these chronic injuries. In recent years, electrospun membranes have emerged as a promising alternative, offering a biomimetic nanofibrous architecture that closely resembles the extracellular matrix and supports the healing process. Moreover, the technical development of electrospun membranes offers tunable physical and mechanical properties, as well as the compatibility to functionalize with bioactive agents, to further accelerate the healing process. This review explores the fundamental principles of electrospinning, the main structural and functional characteristics of electrospun membranes, and their therapeutic applications in diabetic wound care over the past decade. Furthermore, a critical evaluation of the most recent advancements and ongoing challenges related to their clinical translation is outlined.