Biodegradable Nanofiber Scaffolds as Dual-Action Platforms for Drug Delivery and Enhanced Tissue Healing

Abstract

Biodegradable nanofiber scaffolds are an innovative platform that combine controlled drug delivery with enhanced tissue healing. Mimicking the extracellular matrix, they offer a porous, breathable, and moist environment that supports cell growth and migration. Their large surface area allows for efficient loading and sustained release of bioactive agents like growth factors and antimicrobials, promoting hemostasis, reducing inflammation, stimulating angiogenesis, and preventing infection. This dual action accelerates tissue regeneration, especially in complex wounds such as bone defects. Recent advances show that sequential, time-controlled release of multiple therapeutics from these scaffolds improves healing outcomes over single-agent treatments. Despite challenges in optimizing drug loading and release timing, biodegradable nanofiber scaffolds hold great promise for regenerative medicine and targeted drug delivery. This mini-review covers their fabrication, drug incorporation and release mechanism, biomedical applications, limitations, and future prospects for enhancing therapeutic performance.