Medical dressing inspired by dandelion “smashed for external application” therapy for diabetic wound care

Developing bioactive dressings to remodel pathological microenvironments is critical for diabetic foot ulcer management. Drawing inspiration from the traditional "smashed for external application" of Taraxacum mongolicum Hand.-Mazz., a biomimetic film (TH-EVLPs@CNF - ) is engineered by integrating extracellular vesicle-like particles (TH-EVLPs) from fresh dandelion juice with carboxylated cellulose nanofibrils (TH-CNF - ) derived from plant residues. The TH-CNF - matrix exhibits exceptional biocompatibility and multifunctionality: enhancing cell proliferation, dynamically reprogramming macrophage polarization from pro-inflammatory M1 to reparative M2 phenotypes, and promoting angiogenesis via VEGF signaling. Leveraging botanical homology, the anti-inflammatory TH-EVLPs are highly loaded in the CNF - films (10 9 particles/cm 2 ) with on-demand release, synergistically accelerating diabetic wound closure by 96% within 14 days (vs 56% in untreated controls) through collagen reorganization and vascular regeneration. This work reveals the concept of integration of medicinal and adjuvant components embodied in the traditional application of dandelion, and meanwhile provides insights for the integrated forming process of medical dressings based on homologous bioactive substances. • Development of dandelion-derived cellulose nanofibers (CNF) with superior mechanical properties. • Bioinspired CNF films incorporating autologous bioactive vesicles based on traditional dandelion applications. • Dandelion-derived vesicle-loaded CNF films demonstrate synergistic therapeutic efficacy against diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs).