Plant-Based Textiles Show Promise for Wound Healing

In a novel intersection of phytochemistry and textile science, researchers have developed bioactive natural fabrics—cotton, wool, and silk—functionalized with Origanum vulgare L. (oregano) extract for potential medical use. Among these, wool infused with oregano extract (WO+OE) demonstrated the most compelling therapeutic effects in a preclinical study, significantly enhancing wound healing in rats without cytotoxicity to human keratinocytes.

The ethanol extract, rich in rosmarinic acid, catechin, and thymol, exhibited complete antioxidant activity and over 99% antibacterial efficacy against E. coli and S. aureus. When applied to fabrics, the extract endowed all three textiles with potent antioxidant properties. However, antimicrobial performance varied: wool achieved full bacterial inhibition, silk over 89%, and cotton a more modest ~54% against E. coli.

In vivo testing used a full-thickness excision wound model in Wistar albino rats. Rats treated with the WO+OE fabric demonstrated a 97.8% wound closure by day 14—outperforming both untreated controls and those treated with silver sulfadiazine. Biochemical markers supported these outcomes: hydroxyproline content, a proxy for collagen deposition, was highest in the WO+OE group, and both tissue and systemic oxidative stress markers were significantly reduced.

Importantly, the WO+OE fabric’s bioactivity was sustained over 48 hours and did not alter the wool’s structural integrity, as confirmed by SEM and FTIR analyses. Cytotoxicity assays showed high biocompatibility at clinically relevant concentrations, with lower extract concentrations even enhancing keratinocyte viability.

The study's authors suggest differentiated applications based on fabric characteristics: cotton for short-term use (e.g., wipes, minor wound coverings), silk for luxury or prolonged therapeutic contact (e.g., post-surgical dressings), and wool for robust wound care. The biodegradable and renewable nature of both wool and oregano extract also align with sustainability goals.

While the findings are limited to animal models, they pave the way for clinical trials to evaluate oregano-functionalized wool as a potential alternative to synthetic wound dressings.