Aim: Fungal biofilms interfere with the wound healing processes. Henceforth, the study aims to fabricate a biomaterial-based nano-scaffold with the dual functionalities of wound healing and antibiofilm activity. Methods: Nanofibers comprising acacia gum, polyvinyl alcohol and inclusion complex of eugenol in β-cyclodextrin (EG-NF) were synthesized using electrospinning. Antibiofilm studies were performed on Candida species, and the wound-healing activity was evaluated through an in vivo excision wound rat model. Results: The EG-NF potentially eradicated the mature biofilm of Candida species and their clinical isolates. Further, EG-NF also enhanced the re-epithelization and speed of wound healing in in vivo rat experiments. Conclusion: The study established the bifunctional applications of eugenol nanofibers as a transdermal substitute with antifungal potency.
Keywords: Candida; acacia gum; electrospinning; eugenol; fungal biofilm; nanofiber; nanoformulation; transdermal substitute; wound healing; β-cyclodextrin.