Wounds may result from damage to the skin, which is the body's main barrier [1]. In contrast to acute wounds, which heal predictably, chronic wounds remain in a pathological state of ongoing inflammation that is often made worse by drug resistance and bacterial biofilms. The development of sophisticated therapeutic dressings is a vital biomedical goal as this dysregulated milieu interferes with the critical processes of cell migration, extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, and angiogenesis [2].

Conventional wound dressings do not actively coordinate the intricate healing process since they are mostly passive. An optimal dressing should actively promote tissue regeneration, reduce inflammation, and combat infection simultaneously. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have emerged as effective alternatives to traditional antibiotics for treating infections [3], [4]. In particular, the modified AMP SAAP-148 is a superior candidate for incorporation into wound care solutions due to its enhanced stability and potent, broad-spectrum activity against both planktonic and biofilm-embedded bacteria [5], [6].

In order to control cell behavior and promote regeneration, it is necessary to mimic the original extracellular matrix. A good structural replica of the fibrous architecture of the ECM can be achieved using electrospun nanofibers. Using M13 bacteriophages that have been genetically modified to exhibit arginyl-glycyl-aspartic acid (RGD) peptides on their main coat proteins is a particularly creative strategy [7], [8]. These RGD-phages provide a bioactive and cost-effective scaffold with a high density of cell-adhesive motifs when integrated into electrospun fibers, greatly enhancing fibroblast adhesion and migration [9], [10].

Dual-layered systems have gained popularity as a result of the realization that no single material can address every facet of wound healing. These often combine a hydrogel layer that maintains a moist wound environment with a fiber layer that directs cell behavior. For example, an alginate hydrogel provides superior fluid absorption and biocompatibility [11], whereas a nanofibrous polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) layer confers mechanical integrity [12].

However, a major drawback of many sophisticated dressings is their inability to distribute therapeutic drugs in a controlled, stimulus-responsive manner. Although curcumin is a naturally occurring polyphenol with strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, its limited solubility and rapid metabolism hinder its effectiveness as a treatment for wound healing [13]. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), such as zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8), provide an excellent way to overcome these limitations. ZIF-8, which is composed of zinc ions and 2-methylimidazole, is stable at physiological pH but breaks down in a chronic wound's acidic environment to allow for tailored medication release [14]. Curcumin is protected and delivered precisely where it is most needed when loaded into ZIF-8 (cur@ZIF-8) [15].

The goal of this study was to design and evaluate a dual-layered PVA/Alginate-based dressing that releases curcumin in a pH-responsive manner and enhances antibacterial and wound-healing activity through the combined effects of RGD-phage and SAAP-148. The rational design of a dual-layered dressing that synergistically integrates these advanced technologies to simultaneously address multiple healing challenges is what makes this research unique.