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Ribeiro M, Simões M, Vitorino C, Mascarenhas-Melo F. Hydrogels in Cutaneous Wound Healing: Insights into Characterization, Properties, Formulation and Therapeutic Potential. Gels 2024; 10:188. [PMID: 38534606 DOI: 10.3390/gels10030188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Hydrogels are polymeric materials that possess a set of characteristics meeting various requirements of an ideal wound dressing, making them promising for wound care. These features include, among others, the ability to absorb and retain large amounts of water and the capacity to closely mimic native structures, such as the extracellular matrix, facilitating various cellular processes like proliferation and differentiation. The polymers used in hydrogel formulations exhibit a broad spectrum of properties, allowing them to be classified into two main categories: natural polymers like collagen and chitosan, and synthetic polymers such as polyurethane and polyethylene glycol. This review offers a comprehensive overview and critical analysis of the key polymers that can constitute hydrogels, beginning with a brief contextualization of the polymers. It delves into their function, origin, and chemical structure, highlighting key sources of extraction and obtaining. Additionally, this review encompasses the main intrinsic properties of these polymers and their roles in the wound healing process, accompanied, whenever available, by explanations of the underlying mechanisms of action. It also addresses limitations and describes some studies on the effectiveness of isolated polymers in promoting skin regeneration and wound healing. Subsequently, we briefly discuss some application strategies of hydrogels derived from their intrinsic potential to promote the wound healing process. This can be achieved due to their role in the stimulation of angiogenesis, for example, or through the incorporation of substances like growth factors or drugs, such as antimicrobials, imparting new properties to the hydrogels. In addition to substance incorporation, the potential of hydrogels is also related to their ability to serve as a three-dimensional matrix for cell culture, whether it involves loading cells into the hydrogel or recruiting cells to the wound site, where they proliferate on the scaffold to form new tissue. The latter strategy presupposes the incorporation of biosensors into the hydrogel for real-time monitoring of wound conditions, such as temperature and pH. Future prospects are then ultimately addressed. As far as we are aware, this manuscript represents the first comprehensive approach that brings together and critically analyzes fundamental aspects of both natural and synthetic polymers constituting hydrogels in the context of cutaneous wound healing. It will serve as a foundational point for future studies, aiming to contribute to the development of an effective and environmentally friendly dressing for wounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Ribeiro
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- CISUC-Center for Informatics and Systems, University of Coimbra, Pinhal de Marrocos, 3030-290 Coimbra, Portugal
- Coimbra Chemistry Centre, Institute of Molecular Sciences-IMS, Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, 3000-535 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Marco Simões
- CISUC-Center for Informatics and Systems, University of Coimbra, Pinhal de Marrocos, 3030-290 Coimbra, Portugal
- CIBIT-Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research, University of Coimbra, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Carla Vitorino
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Coimbra Chemistry Centre, Institute of Molecular Sciences-IMS, Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, 3000-535 Coimbra, Portugal
- CIBIT-Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research, University of Coimbra, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Filipa Mascarenhas-Melo
- Higher School of Health, Polytechnic Institute of Guarda, Rua da Cadeia, 6300-307 Guarda, Portugal
- REQUIMTE/LAQV, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
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Faria DL, Mendes LM, Junior JBG. Effect of surface treatment on the technological properties of coconut fiber-reinforced plant polyurethane composites. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:52124-52140. [PMID: 36823468 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-25946-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Polymeric composites reinforced with plant fibers have numerous advantages, such as low cost, high raw material availability and good physical, mechanical and thermal properties. Thus, in recent years, they have been studied as thermal insulation substitutes for synthetic polymers in buildings. The aim of this study was to evaluate the technological properties of castor oil-based polyurethane composites reinforced with coconut fibers treated with hot water, alkaline solutions of NaOH and Ca(OH)2 and corona discharge and without surface treatment as materials for the thermal insulation of buildings. The composites were produced by the hand lay-up method followed by compression; 10% by weight coconut fibers were used to replace the synthetic polymer. Specimens were produced, and physical, mechanical, thermal and microstructural tests were performed. The results showed that the polymer had a thermal conductivity of 0.016 W/(mK), while the composites produced with fibers treated with NaOH had a thermal conductivity of 0.028 W/(mK); therefore, these polymers are considered insulating materials (k = 0.01 to 1.0 W/(mK)). Thus, the composites produced with coconut fibers can be considered as lighter, less expensive and environmentally friendly alternatives to synthetic polymers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas Lamounier Faria
- Department of Forest Science, Perimetral Av, Federal University of Lavras - UFLA, POB 3037, Lavras, MG, 37200-900, Brazil.
| | - Lourival Marin Mendes
- Department of Forest Science, Perimetral Av, Federal University of Lavras - UFLA, POB 3037, Lavras, MG, 37200-900, Brazil
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Moritzer E, Flachmann F. Morphological and mechanical properties of foamed thick-walled Wood-Plastic-Composite structures. J CELL PLAST 2023. [DOI: 10.1177/0021955x231161175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
Microcellular wood fiber reinforced polymers offer the possibility to reduce the use of fossil raw materials. In particular, thick-walled structures with thicknesses greater than 6 mm offer a high potential for weight savings. This study investigates the cell structures and mechanical properties of injection-molded test specimens. The influence of different thicknesses (6–10 mm) along with different chemical blowing agents (endothermic, exothermic) with varying dosages (0–2 wt%) is analyzed. The investigations reveal that exothermic chemical blowing agents form finer cells consistently to thin-walled structures than endothermic ones. Higher foaming agent content leads to higher pore fractions, with many small cells coalescing into a large open-pore cell network. The mechanical properties depend mainly on the pore content of the sample. The specific tensile properties deteriorate with the use of chemical blowing agents (CFA), whereas the sandwich structure produced with compact edge layers has a positive influence on the specific flexural properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elmar Moritzer
- Kunststofftechnik Paderborn, Paderborn University, Paderborn, Germany
| | - Felix Flachmann
- Kunststofftechnik Paderborn, Paderborn University, Paderborn, Germany
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