Nanofibrous scaffolds for skin tissue engineering and wound healing applications

Abstract

Electrospinning technology has the exceptional capability of generating polymer-based nanofibers in different fibrous assemblies. Electrospun scaffolds provide a very suitable platform for skin tissue engineering and the treatment of a wide variety of skin lesions. In this chapter, the recent advances achieved in the field of electrospun scaffolds for skin tissue engineering and wound dressing applications are summarized. Research on electrospun plant-derived polymers and polymer blends as a promising platform to develop innovative scaffolds is presented. The incorporation of a wide variety of antibiotics, antimicrobial agents, metallic or inorganic nanoparticles, herbal drugs, growth factors and other new and promising therapeutic agents to polymer-based nanofibers is reviewed. Finally, a perspective on the trends and main challenges is also given to draw a roadmap for further advances and to open new routes in this field.