Imino-quaternized chitosan/chitosan nanofibers loaded with norfloxacin as potential bandages for wound healing.

Due to the critical need for effective wound dressings for the management of burn injuries, this paper focuses on addressing key gaps in infection prevention and control. The study aims to develop advanced nanofibrous dressings based on quaternized chitosan/chitosan, loaded with norfloxacin and modified with 2-formylphenylboronic acid to enhance antimicrobial and antioxidant activity and promote healing. The materials combine beneficial properties of chitosan/quaternized chitosan, such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, and antimicrobial activity. The characterization was performed from structural (NMR, FTIR, UV-Vis spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis), morphological (SEM, water vapor sorption) and supramolecular points of view (X-Ray Diffraction and Polarized Microscopy). Essential properties for wound dressings were evaluated and proved excellent performances, such as Young's modulus up to 1250 MPa, swelling capacity till 6 g/g, radical scavenging activity of 70 % and enzymatic degradability till 53 % in 21 days. The fibers presented antibacterial properties, reflected by high inhibition zones against Escherichia coli (40 mm) and Staphylococcus aureus (34 mm) and antifungal activity against Candida glabrata (15 mm). Preliminary studies demonstrated the in vitro safety of the materials on Human Gingival Fibroblasts, while in vivo experiments on Wistar rats confirmed the biocompatibility of the materials, emphasizing their potential as effective wound dressings for burns.