Chitosan/PEO Nanofibers as a Delivery Platform for Sustained Release of Centella asiatica Extract

Abstract

The search for multifunctional wound dressings that combine structural integrity with biological activity remains an important challenge in modern biomedicine. In this study, electrospun chitosan/polyethylene oxide (CS/PEO) nanofibers incorporating Centella asiatica extract were developed and evaluated in vitro as potential wound-healing materials. Nanofibers were fabricated using various CS/PEO ratios, and the 1:2 w/w composition loaded with 1% extract was selected as the optimal formulation based on morphological homogeneity and processing efficiency. Comprehensive characterization demonstrated that the nanofiber matrix provided sustained release of asiaticosides over several days, fitting best with Hixson–Crowell and Higuchi kinetic models, suggesting a combined diffusion–erosion mechanism. Biological assays confirmed that the optimized formulation displayed strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, with synergistic effects observed between chitosan and C. asiatica. Moreover, chitosan contributed intrinsic antimicrobial properties against Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae, while the extract provided additional antioxidant and regenerative potential. Biocompatibility studies in human fibroblasts showed no cytotoxic effects, and scratch assays confirmed that extract-loaded nanofibers significantly accelerated wound closure compared to the control and CS/PEO base. Taken together, the results highlight the potential of CS/PEO nanofibers with C. asiatica extract as multifunctional wound dressings that integrate structural support, controlled release, antimicrobial protection, and regenerative bioactivity. Future work should address in vivo evaluation, scale-up of electrospinning, and potential incorporation of synergistic antimicrobial agents to further enhance clinical applicability. This approach underlines the value of combining natural product pharmacology with biopolymer engineering in the design of next-generation wound-healing biomaterials.