Biopolymers and treatment strategies for wound healing: an insight view

Intelligent hydrogel-based dressings for treatment of chronic diabetic wounds

Diabetic wounds represent a significant challenge in the medical field, significantly impacting patient quality of life and imposing a heavy burden on healthcare systems. Intelligent hydrogel dressings have attracted significant attention in diabetic wound treatment due to their unique properties. This review systematically explores the three main categories of intelligent hydrogels (natural, synthetic, and composite), dissecting their composition, structure, and the mechanisms that enable their intelligent responses. The crucial roles of these dressings in maintaining a moist wound environment, efficiently absorbing exudate, and precisely delivering drugs are expounded. Moreover, their application advantages in combating bacteria and infections, regulating inflammation and immunity, promoting angiogenesis and tissue regeneration, as well as enabling real-time monitoring and personalized treatment, are explored in depth. Additionally, we discuss future research directions and the prospects for personalized precision medicine in diabetic wound care, aiming to inspire innovation and provide a comprehensive theoretical basis for the development of next-generation intelligent dressings.

The design principle of natural polysaccharide hydrogels for promoting wound healing: a prospective review

Acute skin injuries and chronic non-healing wounds are common in daily life, posing significant physical trauma to patients and creating substantial social and economic burdens. Polysaccharide-based hydrogels not only maintain optimal moisture levels for wound recovery but also act as effective barriers against bacterial infection. Polysaccharides, with their unique properties such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, and non-toxicity, are promising materials for constructing hydrogels designed for wound healing. This review discusses wound physiology, key design factors for wound-healing hydrogels, and the fundamental principles of hydrogel gelation. It also provides an overview of the current applications of polysaccharide-based hydrogels-including those derived from hyaluronic acid, chitosan, sodium alginate, cellulose, glucose, and starch-as advanced wound dressings. Finally, the review outlines current challenges and future research directions for polysaccharide-based hydrogels in wound healing, aiming to inspire further exploration and innovation in this field.

Herbal bioactive-loaded biopolymeric formulations for wound healing applications

Recent advancements in wound healing technologies focus on incorporating herbal bioactives into biopolymeric formulations. A biocompatible matrix that promotes healing is provided by biopolymeric wound dressings. These dressings use components such as ulvan, hyaluronic acid, starch, cellulose, chitosan, alginate, gelatin, and pectin. These natural polymers assist in three crucial processes, namely, cell adhesion, proliferation, and moisture retention, all of which are necessary for effective wound repair. Curcumin, quercetin, Aloe vera, Vinca alkaloids, and Centella asiatica are some of the herbal bioactives that are included in biopolymeric formulations. They have powerful anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant activities. Chitosan, cellulose, collagen, alginate, and hyaluronic acid are some of the biopolymers that have shown promise in clinical trials for wound healing. These trials have also confirmed the safety and functional performance of these materials. Their recent advancements in wound care can be understood by the increasing number of patents linked to these formulations. These innovative dressings improve healing outcomes in acute and chronic wounds while minimizing adverse effects by incorporating biopolymers with herbal bioactives in an efficient manner. This review emphasizes that the development of next-generation wound care products can be facilitated via the integration of natural materials and bioactive substances.

Revealing the promising era of silk-based nanotherapeutics: a ray of hope for chronic wound healing treatment

Chronic wounds significantly contribute to disability and affect the mortality rate in diabetic patients. In addition, pressure ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, arterial ulcers, and venous ulcers pose a significant health burden due to their associated morbidity and death. The complex healing process, environmental factors, and genetic factors have been identified as the rate-limiting stages of chronic wound healing. Changes in temperature, moisture content, mechanical strain, and genetics can result in slow wound healing, increased susceptibility to bacterial infections, and poor matrix remodelling. These obstacles can be addressed with natural biomaterials exhibiting antimicrobial, collagen synthesis, and granulation tissue formation properties. Recently, silk proteins have gained significant attention as a natural biomaterial owing to good biocompatibility, biodegradability, reduced immunogenicity, ease of sterilization, and promote the wound healing process. The silk components such as sericin and fibroin in combination with nano(platforms) effectively promote wound repair. This review emphasises the potential of sericin and fibroin when combined with nano(platforms) like nanoparticles, nanofibers, and nanoparticles-embedded films, membranes, gels, and nanofibers.

Polysaccharides and Peptides With Wound Healing Activity From Bacteria and Fungi

Bacteria and fungi are natural sources of metabolites exhibiting diverse bioactive properties such as wound healing, antioxidative, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and anticancer activities. Two important groups of bacteria or fungi-derived metabolites with wound-healing potential are polysaccharides and peptides. In addition to bacteria-derived cellulose and hyaluronic acid and fungi-derived chitin and chitosan, these organisms also produce different polysaccharides (e.g., exopolysaccharides) with wound-healing potential. The most commonly used bacterial peptides in wound healing studies are bacteriocins and lipopeptides. Bacteria or fungi-derived polysaccharides and peptides exhibit both the in vitro and the in vivo wound healing potency. In the in vivo models, including animals and humans, these metabolites positively affect wound healing by inhibiting pathogens, exhibiting antioxidant activity, modulating inflammatory response, moisturizing the wound environment, promoting the proliferation and migration of fibroblasts and keratinocytes, increasing collagen synthesis, re-epithelialization, and angiogenesis. Therefore, peptides and polysaccharides derived from bacteria and fungi have medicinal importance. This study aims to overview current literature knowledge (especially within the past 5 years) on the in vitro and in vivo wound repair potentials of polysaccharides and peptides obtained from bacteria (Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Cyanobacteria, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria) and fungi (yeasts, filamentous microfungi, and mushrooms).

A comprehensive review of the application of 3D-bioprinting in chronic wound management

INTRODUCTION

Chronic wounds require more sophisticated care than standard wound care because they are becoming more severe as a result of diseases like diabetes. By resolving shortcomings in existing methods, 3D-bioprinting offers a viable path toward personalized, mechanically strong, and cell-stimulating wound dressings.

AREAS COVERED

This review highlights the drawbacks of traditional approaches while navigating the difficulties of managing chronic wounds. The conversation revolves around employing natural biomaterials for customized dressings, with a particular emphasis on 3D-bioprinting. A thorough understanding of the uses of 3D-printed dressings in a range of chronic wound scenarios is provided by insights into recent research and patents.

EXPERT OPINION

The expert view recognizes wounds as a historical human ailment and emphasizes the growing difficulties and expenses related to wound treatment. The expert acknowledges that 3D printing is revolutionary, but also points out that it is still in its infancy and has the potential to enhance mass production rather than replace it. The review highlights the benefits of 3D printing for wound dressings by providing instances of smart materials that improve treatment results by stimulating angiogenesis, reducing pain, and targeting particular enzymes. The expert advises taking action to convert the technology's prospective advantages into real benefits for patients, even in the face of resistance to change in the healthcare industry. It is believed that the increasing evidence from in-vivo studies is promising and represents a positive change in the treatment of chronic wounds toward sophisticated 3D-printed dressings.

Natural biopolymer-based hydrogels: an advanced material for diabetic wound healing

A diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is an open sore or wound that typically develops on the bottom of the foot. Almost 15% of people with diabetes are suffering from delayed wound healing worldwide. The main vehicle for the development of ulcers in the diabetic population is poor circulation and peripheral neuropathy. Chronic injuries from diabetes frequently lead to traumatic lower leg amputations. Hydrogels are three-dimensional gels that can be fabricated from natural polymers and synthetic polymers. Biopolymers are flexible, elastic, or fibrous materials that come from a natural source, such as plants, animals, bacteria, or other living things. Some of the naturally occurring polymers that are frequently employed in wound dressing applications include polysaccharides and proteins. These polymers can be employed for many therapeutic applications because of their inherent biocompatibility, low immunogenicity, non-toxicity, and biodegradability. They represent a tuneable platform for enhancing skin healing. Therefore, this review paper interprets how natural biopolymers and their various hydrogel forms can be potentially used for diabetic wound healing.

Enhancing Wound Healing: A Comprehensive Review of Sericin and Chelidonium majus L. as Potential Dressings

Wound healing, a complex physiological process orchestrating intricate cellular and molecular events, seeks to restore tissue integrity. The burgeoning interest in leveraging the therapeutic potential of natural substances for advanced wound dressings is a recent phenomenon. Notably, Sericin, a silk-derived protein, and Chelidonium majus L. (C. majus), a botanical agent, have emerged as compelling candidates, providing a unique combination of natural elements that may revolutionize conventional wound care approaches. Sericin, renowned for its diverse properties, displays unique properties that accelerate the wound healing process. Simultaneously, C. majus, with its diverse pharmacological compounds, shows promise in reducing inflammation and promoting tissue regeneration. As the demand for innovative wound care solutions increases, understanding the therapeutic potential of natural products becomes imperative. This review synthesizes current knowledge on Sericin and C. majus, envisioning their future roles in advancing wound management strategies. The exploration of these natural substances as constituents of wound dressings provides a promising avenue for developing sustainable, effective, and biocompatible materials that could significantly impact the field of wound healing.

Progress in Wound-Healing Products Based on Natural Compounds, Stem Cells, and MicroRNA-Based Biopolymers in the European, USA, and Asian Markets: Opportunities, Barriers, and Regulatory Issues

Wounds are breaks in the continuity of the skin and underlying tissues, resulting from external causes such as cuts, blows, impacts, or surgical interventions. Countless individuals suffer minor to severe injuries, with unfortunate cases even leading to death. In today's scenario, several commercial products are available to facilitate the healing process of wounds, although chronic wounds still present more challenges than acute wounds. Nevertheless, the huge demand for wound-care products within the healthcare sector has given rise to a rapidly growing market, fostering continuous research and development endeavors for innovative wound-healing solutions. Today, there are many commercially available products including those based on natural biopolymers, stem cells, and microRNAs that promote healing from wounds. This article explores the recent breakthroughs in wound-healing products that harness the potential of natural biopolymers, stem cells, and microRNAs. A comprehensive exploration is undertaken, covering not only commercially available products but also those still in the research phase. Additionally, we provide a thorough examination of the opportunities, obstacles, and regulatory considerations influencing the potential commercialization of wound-healing products across the diverse markets of Europe, America, and Asia.

Biopolymer based nanoparticles and their therapeutic potential in wound healing - A review

Nanoparticles (NPs) have been extensively investigated for their potential in nanomedicine. There is a significant level of enthusiasm about the potential of NPs to bring out a transformative impact on modern healthcare. NPs can serve as effective wound dressings or delivery vehicles due to their antibacterial and pro-wound-healing properties. Biopolymer-based NPs can be manufactured using various food-grade biopolymers, such as proteins, polysaccharides, and synthetic polymers, each offering distinct properties suitable for different applications which include collagen, polycaprolactone, chitosan, alginate, and polylactic acid, etc. Their biodegradable and biocompatible nature renders them ideal nanomaterials for applications in wound healing. Additionally, the nanofibers containing biopolymer-based NPs have shown excellent anti-bacterial and wound healing activity like silver NPs. These NPs represent a paradigm shift in wound healing therapies, offering targeted and personalized solutions for enhanced tissue regeneration and accelerated wound closure. The current review focuses on biopolymer NPs with their applications in wound healing.

Multifunctional polypeptide-based hydrogel bio-adhesives with pro-healing activities and their working principles

Wound healing is a complex physiological process involving hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and tissue remodeling. Therefore, there is an urgent need for suitable wound dressings for effective and systematical wound management. Polypeptide-based hydrogel bio-adhesives offer unique advantages and are ideal candidates. However, comprehensive reviews on polypeptide-based hydrogel bio-adhesives for wound healing are still lacking. In this review, the physiological mechanisms and evaluation parameters of wound healing were first described in detail. Then, the working principles of hydrogel bio-adhesives were summarized. Recent advances made in multifunctional polypeptide-based hydrogel bio-adhesives involving gelatin, silk fibroin, fibrin, keratin, poly-γ-glutamic acid, ɛ-poly-lysine, serum albumin, and elastin with pro-healing activities in wound healing and tissue repair were reviewed. Finally, the current status, challenges, developments, and future trends of polypeptide-based hydrogel bio-adhesives were discussed, hoping that further developments would be stimulated to meet the growing needs of their clinical applications.

Emerging horizons and prospects of polysaccharide-constructed gels in the realm of wound healing

Polysaccharides, with the abundant availability, biodegradability, and inherent safety, offer a vast array of promising applications. Leveraging the remarkable attributes of polysaccharides, biomimetic and multifunctional hydrogels have emerged as a compelling avenue for efficacious wound dressing. The gels emulate the innate extracellular biomatrix as well as foster cellular proliferation. The distinctive structural compositions and profusion of functional groups within polysaccharides confer excellent physical/chemical traits as well as distinct restorative involvements. Gels crafted from polysaccharide matrixes serve as a robust defense against bacterial threats, effectively shielding wounds from harm. This comprehensive review delves into wound physiology, accentuating the significance of numerous polysaccharide-based gels in the wound healing context. The discourse encompasses an exploration of polysaccharide hydrogels tailored for diverse wound types, along with an examination of various therapeutic agents encapsulated within hydrogels to facilitate wound repair, incorporating recent patent developments. Within the scope of this manuscript, the perspective of these captivating gels for promoting optimal healing of wounds is vividly depicted. Nevertheless, the pursuit of knowledge remains ongoing, as further research is warranted to bioengineer progressive polysaccharide gels imbued with adaptable features. Such endeavors hold the promise of unlocking substantial potential within the realm of wound healing, propelling us toward multifaceted and sophisticated solutions.

Advancement in nanotechnology for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: scope and potential applications

Rheumatoid arthritis is a hyperactive immune disorder that results in severe inflammation in synovial joints, cartilage, and bone deterioration, resulting in immobilization of joints. Traditional approaches for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis are associated with some limiting factors such as suboptimal patient compliance, inability to control the progression of disorder, and safety concerns. Therefore, innovative drug delivery carriers for efficient therapeutic delivery at inflamed synovial sites with better safety assessment are urgently needed to address these issues. From this perspective, nanotechnology is an outstanding alternative to traditional drug delivery approaches, and it has shown great promise in developing novel carriers to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Considering the current research and future application of nanocarriers, it is believed that nanocarriers can be a crucial element in rheumatoid arthritis treatment. This paper covers all currently available pathophysiological aspects of rheumatoid arthritis and treatment options. Future research for the reduction of synovial inflammation should focus on developing multifunction nanoparticles capable of delivering therapeutic agents with improved safety, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness to be commercialized.

Optimization and Characterization of a Novel Antioxidant Naringenin-Loaded Hydrogel for Encouraging Re-Epithelization in Chronic Diabetic Wounds: A Preclinical Study

Nonhealed wounds are one of the most dangerous side effects of type-2 diabetes, which is linked to a high frequency of bacterial infections around the globe that eventually results in amputation of limbs. The present investigation aimed to explore the drug-loaded (naringenin) hydrogel system for chronic wound healing. The hydrogel membranes comprising Na-alginate with F-127 and poly(vinyl alcohol) were developed to treat chronic wounds using the quality-by-design (QbD) approach. The optimized formulation was tested for various parameters, such as swelling, gel fraction, water vapor transition rate (WVTR), etc. In vitro evaluation indicated that a drug-loaded hydrogel displayed better tissue adhesiveness and can release drugs for a prolonged duration of 12 h. Scratch assay performed on L929 cell lines demonstrated good cell migration. The diabetic wound healing potential of the hydrogel membrane was assessed in streptozotocin-induced male Wistar rats (50 mg/kg). Higher rates of wound closure, re-epithelialization, and accumulation of collagen were seen in in vivo experiments. Histopathologic investigation correspondingly implied that the drug-loaded hydrogel could enhance dermal wound repair. The improved antimicrobial and antioxidant properties with expedited healing indicated that the drug-loaded hydrogel is a perfect dressing for chronic wounds.

Polysaccharide-based hydrogel promotes skin wound repair and research progress on its repair mechanism

Polysaccharides, being a natural, active, and biodegradable polymer, have garnered significant attention due to their exceptional properties. These properties make them ideal for creating multifunctional hydrogels that can be used as wound dressings for skin injuries. Polysaccharide hydrogel has the ability to both simulate the natural extracellular matrix, promote cell proliferation, and provide a suitable environment for wound healing while protecting it from bacterial invasion. Polysaccharide hydrogels offer a promising solution for repairing damaged skin. This review provides an overview of the mechanisms involved in skin damage repair and emphasizes the potential of polysaccharide hydrogels in this regard. For different skin injuries, polysaccharide hydrogels can play a role in promoting wound healing. However, we still need to conduct more research on polysaccharide hydrogels to provide more possibilities for skin damage repair.

Potential of nanoemulsions for accelerated wound healing: innovative strategies

Wounds represent various significant health concerns for patients and also contribute major costs to healthcare systems. Wound healing comprises of overlapped and various coordinated steps such as homeostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. In response to the failure of many strategies in delivering intended results including wound closure, fluid loss control, and exhibiting properties such as durability, targeted delivery, accelerated action, along with histocompatibility, numerous nanotechnological advances have been introduced. To understand the magnitude of wound therapy, this systematic and updated review discussing the effectiveness of nanoemulsions has been undertaken. This review portrays mechanisms associated with wound healing, factors for delayed wound healing, and various technologies utilized to treat wounds effectively. While many strategies are available, nanoemulsions have attracted the tremendous attention of scientists globally for the research in wound therapy due to their long-term thermodynamic stability and bioavailability. Nanoemulsions not only aid in tissue repair, but are also considered as an excellent delivery system for various synthetic and natural actives. Nanotechnology provides several pivotal benefits in wound healing, including improved skin permeation, controlled release, and stimulation of fibroblast cell proliferation. The significant role of nanoemulsions in improved wound healing along with their preparation techniques has also been highlighted with special emphasis on mechanistic insights. This article illustrates recent research advancements for the utilization of nanoemulsions in wound treatment. An adequate literature search has been conducted using the keywords 'Nanoemulsions in wound healing', 'Wound therapy and nanoemulsions', 'Herbal actives in wound therapy', 'Natural oils and wounds treatment' etc., from PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar databases. Referred and original publications in the English language accessed till April 2022 has been included, whereas nonEnglish language papers, unpublished data, and nonoriginal papers were excluded from the study.

Cutaneous Polymeric-Micelles-Based Hydrogel Containing Origanum vulgare L. Essential Oil: In Vitro Release and Permeation, Angiogenesis, and Safety Profile In Ovo

Origanum vulgare var. vulgare essential oil (OEO) is known as a natural product with multiple beneficial effects with application in dermatology. Oregano essential oil represents a potential natural therapeutic alternative for fibroepithelial polyps (FPs), commonly known as skin tags. Innovative formulations have been developed to improve the bioavailability and stability of essential oils. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the morphology of a polymeric-micelles-based hydrogel (OEO-PbH), the release and permeation profile of oregano essential oil, as well as to assess in vivo the potential effects on the degree of biocompatibility and the impact on angiogenesis in ovo, using a chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis indicated a regular aspect after the encapsulation process, while in vitro release studies showed a sustained release of the essential oil. None of the tested samples induced any irritation on the CAM and the limitation of the angiogenic process was noted. OEO-PbH, with a sustained release of OEO, potentially enhances the anti-angiogenic effect while being well tolerated and non-irritative by the vascularized CAM, especially on the blood vessels (BVs) in the presence of leptin treatment. This is the first evidence of in vivo antiangiogenic effects of a polymeric-micelle-loaded oregano essential oil, with further mechanistic insights for OEO-PbH formulation, involving leptin as a possible target. The findings suggest that the OEO-containing polymeric micelle hydrogel represents a potential future approach in the pathology of cutaneous FP and other angiogenesis-related conditions.

New Insights in Topical Drug Delivery for Skin Disorders: From a Nanotechnological Perspective

Skin, the largest organ in humans, is an efficient route for the delivery of drugs as it circumvents several disadvantages of the oral and parenteral routes. These advantages of skin have fascinated researchers in recent decades. Drug delivery via a topical route includes moving the drug from a topical product to a locally targeted region with dermal circulation throughout the body and deeper tissues. Still, due to the skin's barrier function, delivery through the skin can be difficult. Drug delivery to the skin using conventional formulations with micronized active components, for instance, lotions, gels, ointments, and creams, results in poor penetration. The use of nanoparticulate carriers is one of the promising strategies, as it provides efficient delivery of drugs through the skin and overcomes the disadvantage of traditional formulations. Nanoformulations with smaller particle sizes contribute to improved permeability of therapeutic agents, targeting, stability, and retention, making nanoformulations ideal for drug delivery through a topical route. Achieving sustained release and preserving a localized effect utilizing nanocarriers can result in the effective treatment of numerous infections or skin disorders. This article aims to evaluate and discuss the most recent developments of nanocarriers as therapeutic agent vehicles for skin conditions with patent technology and a market overview that will give future directions for research. As topical drug delivery systems have shown great preclinical results for skin problems, for future research directions, we anticipate including in-depth studies of nanocarrier behavior in various customized treatments to take into account the phenotypic variability of the disease.

Polysaccharide-based hydrogels: New insights and futuristic prospects in wound healing

Polysaccharides elicit enormous and promising applications due to their extensive obtainability, innocuousness, and biodegradability. Various outstanding features of polysaccharides can be employed to fabricate biomimetic and multifunctional hydrogels as efficient wound dressings. These hydrogels mimic the natural extracellular matrix and also boost the proliferation of cells. Owing to distinctive architectures and abundance of functional groups, polysaccharide-derived hydrogels have exceptional physicochemical properties and unique therapeutic interventions. Hydrogels designed using polysaccharides can effectively safeguard wounds from bacterial attack. This review includes wound physiology and emphasises on numerous polysaccharide-based hydrogels for wound repair applications. Polysaccharide hydrogels for different wound types and diverse therapeutic agents loaded in hydrogels for wound repair with recent patents are portrayed in the current manuscript, debating the potential of fascinating hydrogels for effective wound healing. More research is required to engineer multifaceted advanced polysaccharide hydrogels with tuneable and adjustable properties to attain huge potential in wound healing.

Wound-Healing Effects of Curcumin and Its Nanoformulations: A Comprehensive Review

Wound healing is an intricate process of tissue repair or remodeling that occurs in response to injury. Plants and plant-derived bioactive constituents are well explored in the treatment of various types of wounds. Curcumin is a natural polyphenolic substance that has been used since ancient times in Ayurveda for its healing properties, as it reduces inflammation and acts on several healing stages. Several research studies for curcumin delivery at the wound site reported the effectiveness of curcumin in eradicating reactive oxygen species and its ability to enhance the deposition of collagen, granulation tissue formation, and finally, expedite wound contraction. Curcumin has been widely investigated for its wound healing potential but its lower solubility and rapid metabolism, in addition to its shorter plasma half-life, have limited its applications in wound healing. As nanotechnology has proven to be an effective technique to accelerate wound healing by stimulating appropriate mobility through various healing phases, curcumin-loaded nanocarriers are used for targeted delivery at the wound sites. This review highlights the potential of curcumin and its nanoformulations, such as liposomes, nanoparticles, and nano-emulsions, etc. in wound healing. This paper emphasizes the numerous biomedical applications of curcumin which collectively prepare a base for its antibiofilm and wound-healing action.

Borrowing the Features of Biopolymers for Emerging Wound Healing Dressings: A Review

Wound dressing design is a dynamic and rapidly growing field of the medical wound-care market worldwide. Advances in technology have resulted in the development of a wide range of wound dressings that treat different types of wounds by targeting the four phases of healing. The ideal wound dressing should perform rapid healing; preserve the body’s water content; be oxygen permeable, non-adherent on the wound and hypoallergenic; and provide a barrier against external contaminants—at a reasonable cost and with minimal inconvenience to the patient. Therefore, choosing the best dressing should be based on what the wound needs and what the dressing does to achieve complete regeneration and restoration of the skin’s structure and function. Biopolymers, such as alginate (ALG), chitosan (Cs), collagen (Col), hyaluronic acid (HA) and silk fibroin (SF), are extensively used in wound management due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability and similarity to macromolecules recognized by the human body. However, most of the formulations based on biopolymers still show various issues; thus, strategies to combine them with molecular biology approaches represent the future of wound healing. Therefore, this article provides an overview of biopolymers’ roles in wound physiology as a perspective on the development of a new generation of enhanced, naturally inspired, smart wound dressings based on blood products, stem cells and growth factors.

Drug Delivery Strategies and Biomedical Significance of Hydrogels: Translational Considerations

Hydrogels are a promising and attractive option as polymeric gel networks, which have immensely fascinated researchers across the globe because of their outstanding characteristics such as elevated swellability, the permeability of oxygen at a high rate, good biocompatibility, easy loading, and drug release. Hydrogels have been extensively used for several purposes in the biomedical sector using versatile polymers of synthetic and natural origin. This review focuses on functional polymeric materials for the fabrication of hydrogels, evaluation of different parameters of biocompatibility and stability, and their application as carriers for drugs delivery, tissue engineering and other therapeutic purposes. The outcome of various studies on the use of hydrogels in different segments and how they have been appropriately altered in numerous ways to attain the desired targeted delivery of therapeutic agents is summarized. Patents and clinical trials conducted on hydrogel-based products, along with scale-up translation, are also mentioned in detail. Finally, the potential of the hydrogel in the biomedical sector is discussed, along with its further possibilities for improvement for the development of sophisticated smart hydrogels with pivotal biomedical functions.

Evaluation of the Performance of a ZnO-Nanoparticle-Coated Hydrocolloid Patch in Wound Healing

Hydrocolloid dressings are an important method for accelerating wound healing. A combination of a hydrocolloid and nanoparticles (NPs), such as gold (Au), improves the wound healing rate, but Au-NPs are expensive and unable to block ultraviolet (UV) light. Herein, we combined zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) with hydrocolloids for a less expensive and more effective UV-blocking treatment of wounds. Using Sprague-Dawley rat models, we showed that, during 10-day treatment, a hydrocolloid patch covered with ZnO-NPs (ZnO-NPs-HC) macroscopically and microscopically stimulated the wound healing rate and improved wound healing in the inflammation phase as shown by reducing of pro-inflammatory cytokines (CD68, IL-8, TNF-α, MCP-1, IL-6, IL-1β, and M1) up to 50%. The results from the in vitro models (RAW264.7 cells) also supported these in vivo results: ZnO-NPs-HCs improved wound healing in the inflammation phase by expressing a similar level of pro-inflammatory mediators (TNF-α and IL-6) as the negative control group. ZnO-NPs-HCs also encouraged the proliferation phase of the healing process, which was displayed by increasing expression of fibroblast biomarkers (α-SMA, TGF-β3, vimentin, collagen, and M2) up to 60%. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of wound healing by measuring the biomarkers in each phase and suggests a cheaper method for wound dressing.

A simple strategy for efficient preparation of networks based on poly(2-isopropenyl-2-oxazoline), poly(ethylene oxide), and selected biologically active compounds: Novel hydrogels with antibacterial properties

Novel polymer networks composed of biocompatible, hydrophilic poly(2-isopropenyl-2-oxazoline) (PiPOx), poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), and selected biologically active compounds (cinnamic acid, benzoic acid or eugenol) were developed for potential antimicrobial applications. The applied crosslinking method, based on the addition reaction between oxazoline pendant groups and chosen reagents containing carboxyl functions, is relatively facile, free from by-products, and thus well suited for biomaterial preparation. The one-step synthesis enabled efficient network formation with high gel contents (>90%). The chemical structure of the newly synthesized networks was characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared-attenuated Total Reflection spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR) and ¹³C Magic-Angle Spinning (MAS) NMR. To evaluate the suitability for biomedical applications, swelling in water and the mechanical properties of the networks were investigated. The antimicrobial efficacy of the prepared hydrogels was tested in neutral medium both by the agar diffusion method and in the liquid culture against Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains: Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Enterobacter cloaceae. All the tested hydrogels showed an antimicrobial effect in the direct contact zone. Moreover, the eugenol loaded hydrogel expressed a broader bacteriostatic effect inhibiting microorganism growth beyond the contact zone. These form-stable hydrogels with antibacterial properties may be of interest for designing materials dedicated to biomedical applications.