In this study, electrospun biocompatible nanofibers with random orientation were prepared by physically blending poly(vinyl alcohol)-stilbazol quaternized (PVA-SbQ) with zein in acetic acid solution for wound healing. PVA-SbQ was used as the foundation polymer as well as crosslinking agent, blended with zein to achieve desirable properties such as improved tensile strength, surface wettability, and in vitro degradable properties. Moreover, vaccarin drug was incorporated in situ into electrospun nanofibrous membranes for cell viability and cell attachment. The addition of vaccarin showed great effects on the morphology of nanofiber and enhanced cell viability and proliferation in comparison with composite nanofibers without drug. The presence of PVA-SbQ, zein, and vaccarin drug in the nanofibrous membranes exhibited good compatibility, hydrophilicity, and biocompatibility and created a moist environment to have potential application for wound healing. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42565.