Multifunctional Bioinspired Janus Membranes Integrating Thymol/ZnO Synergy for Diabetic Wound-Microenvironment Regulation

Chronic diabetic wounds are characterized by persistent infection, oxidative stress, and moisture imbalance. However, effectively managing these concurrent pathological factors within the complex wound microenvironment remains a significant clinical challenge. Herein, we report the development of a multifunctional Janus nanofibrous membrane via sequential electrospinning of a thymol (THY)-incorporated hydrophilic polyacrylonitrile (PAN)/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) layer and a zinc oxide (ZnO)-incorporated hydrophobic polylactic acid (PLA) layer, integrating structural bioinspiration with organic–inorganic synergy for comprehensive microenvironment management. By mimicking the desert beetle’s elytra, the membrane exhibits asymmetric wettability (the hydrophilic side shows a water contact angle (WCA) dropping to 0° within 0.37 s), enabling autonomous and unidirectional exudate transport (hydrostatic pressure difference: 52 mm) to prevent exudate accumulation. Importantly, the system capitalizes on a “permeabilization–penetration” synergy between THY and ZnO: THY disrupts bacterial membranes, facilitating the infiltration of Zn 2+ to eradicate pathogens. The system achieves nearly 100% antibacterial efficiency against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus while exhibiting significant antioxidant activity, as evidenced by an 86% 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging rate. In vivo evaluations in a diabetic mouse model confirmed that the Janus membrane significantly accelerates wound closure through enhanced re-epithelialization and organized collagen deposition, achieving 78.04% wound closure on day 4 and near-complete closure by day 14, thereby outperforming all control groups. In summary, this “all-in-one” Janus platform enables precise microenvironment regulation through the integrated control of interfacial moisture and multipathway therapeutic relief.