Journal of materials science. Materials in medicineOct 14, 2025

Biocompatible zinc oxide nanoflower composite boosts faster skin healing

Regenerative Health Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗OA ↗

Updated Jan 7, 2026

Abstract

The synthesized zinc oxide nanoflower (ZnO NF)-infused nanocomposite demonstrated superior performance in wound healing compared to controls.

ZnO NFs were created using a green synthesis method with high stability and bioactive properties.
The nanocomposite showed enhanced swelling capacity and controlled release of zinc oxide nanoflowers.
In vitro studies indicated non-cytotoxic effects and significant cell proliferation in human dermal fibroblasts and L929 cell lines.
Hemocompatibility tests revealed minimal hemolytic activity, suggesting good compatibility with blood.
In vivo studies in mice showed accelerated wound closure, increased new blood vessel formation, reduced inflammation, and improved collagen deposition in the treated groups.

Simplified

Wound-healing remains a significant challenge in regenerative medicine, necessitating the development of advanced biomaterials with enhanced bioactivity and therapeutic potential. In this study, we synthesized a biocompatible zinc oxide nanoflower (ZnO NF)-infused chitosan/alginate/polyvinyl alcohol (Cs/Alg/PVA) nanocomposite for accelerated skin regeneration. ZnO NFs were synthesized via a green approach using gallic acid and ascorbic acid, yielding nanostructures with high stability and bioactive properties. The physicochemical characterization confirmed the successful formation of ZnO NFs, exhibiting a flower-like morphology. The synthesized ZnO NF-loaded Cs/Alg/PVA nanocomposite demonstrated superior swelling capacity, controlled ZnO NF release, and enhanced mechanical stability. In vitro studies using HDF and L929 cell lines revealed non-cytotoxic behavior and significant proliferation enhancement. Hemocompatibility assessments confirmed very minimal hemolytic activity, indicating excellent blood compatibility. In vivo, wound healing studies in a murine model demonstrated accelerated wound closure, enhanced angiogenesis, reduced inflammation, and improved collagen deposition in ZnO NF-treated groups compared to controls. Histopathological analyses further validated the superior regenerative potential of the nanocomposite. These findings highlight the promising applications of ZnO NFs-based biopolymers in advanced wound dressings, offering a multifunctional platform for tissue engineering and skin regeneration.

Key numbers

53%

Wound Closure Rate

Percentage of released within the first 24 hours.

0–500 µg/mL

Cytocompatibility

Concentration range of tested for cytotoxicity.

n = 6

Animal Model Size

Number of male Syrian mice used in the wound healing evaluation.

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Funding

Competing interests

Compliance with ethical standards. Conflict of interest: The authors declare no competing interests. Ethics approval: This study is approved according to international guidelines and the principles of ethical research (code: IR.SKU.REC. 1404.026). Consent for publication: This article does not contain any individual person’s data in any form.

PubMed

Biocompatible zinc oxide nanoflower composite boosts faster skin healing

Abstract

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Competing interests

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