Tubanur Avci, Eray Altan, Ceren Aytar, Zehra Kanli, Elif Kaya, Serap Ayaz Seyhan, Savas Evran, Gulgun Bosgelmez Tinaz, Oguzhan Gunduz, Canan Dogan, Ahmet Akif Kızılkurtlu
Melanoma excision procedures frequently result in complex wounds that require simultaneous tumor suppression and tissue regeneration. However, current post-surgical care heavily relies on synthetic drugs, facing challenges like antibiotic resistance and delayed healing. To address this notable gap, this study introduces a novel "mineral-botanical" hybrid nanofibrous dressing to reduce reliance on conventional synthetic agents. The nanofiber surfaces were subsequently functionalized with a supercritical CO2 extract of Inula helenium, thereby introducing a highly bioactive botanical agent not previously explored in this hybrid wound-care context. Comprehensive physical and structural characterizations demonstrated that the bioactive coating serves as a resilient physical barrier, significantly enhancing the dressing's structural integrity in fluidic environments. In vitro biological evaluations revealed a dual-action mechanism: the biomaterial exhibited excellent biocompatibility and accelerated migration in human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs), achieving nearly 100% in vitro wound closure at 24 h. Conversely, the Inula helenium-coated nanofibers demonstrated distinct, selective cytotoxicity against A375 melanoma cells, effectively restricting their proliferation and reducing their viability. Furthermore, the hybrid platform exhibited significant antioxidant potential and achieved 94% antibacterial inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus. In conclusion, this study presents a sustainable, dual-function wound dressing that suppresses residual cancer cells while promoting healthy tissue regeneration, offering a promising alternative to conventional synthetic oncological dressings.