Smart Sprayable Bandage: Plant Derived Agents for Wound Care

Abstract

Chronic wounds remain a significant clinical challenge due to persistent microbial infection, biofilm formation, oxidative stress, and delayed healing. Conventional wound dressings often lack multifunctional properties required for effective management of such wounds. In the present study, a plant-based smart sprayable wound dressing was developed by integrating bioactive extracts of Thymus vulgaris and Glycyrrhiza glabra with anthocyanin derived from Hibiscus rosa-sinensis to create a theranostic formulation possessing antimicrobial, antioxidant, antibiofilm, anti-inflammatory, and pH-responsive properties. Acetone extracts of Thymus vulgaris and Glycyrrhiza glabra were characterized by phytochemical screening and evaluated for antimicrobial, MIC, antioxidant, antibiofilm, and synergistic activity. The optimized spray formulation was assessed for physicochemical parameters and in vitro biological performance. Extraction yields were 40% (thyme) and 32% (liquorice). MIC values ranged from 500–2000 µg/mL. Synergistic antifungal activity against Candida albicans was observed (FICI = 0.5). The spray exhibited strong antimicrobial activity (zone of inhibition up to 40 mm), antioxidant capacity (~800–850 µg/mL AAE), moderate biofilm inhibition (15–25%), and significant anti-inflammatory activity (73.5% protein denaturation inhibition). All experiments were performed in triplicate and expressed as mean ± SD (p < 0.05). The developed formulation integrates therapeutic and diagnostic functions within a single platform, demonstrating promising in vitro efficacy against wound-associated pathogens. This study highlights the potential of plant-derived bioactives in advanced wound care and provides a foundation for further in vivo and translational development.