Chapter 13 - Alginate-based hydrogel systems for drug releasing in wound healing

Abstract

In a daily life, wounds on skin and tissues due to several reasons are quite common and hence the pathophysiology of wound healing is extensively reported in the literature. The research focus on wound dressings has also been tremendously enhanced due to its significant commercial market value. Numerous biopolymers have already been investigated as wound dressing excipient materials. Among these, alginate (the naturally occurring polysaccharides) has found the usefulness as wound dressing biopolymer due to its biocompatibility, biodegradability, high swelling capacity, good water absorption ability, porous nature, and potential for functionalization. Considering the benefits of alginate-based systems, hydrogel wound dressings made of alginate have been developed and these are found to be suitable for wound healing management comparing to other biopolymeric systems. Alginate-based hydrogel wound dressings have also been proved their usefulness as matrices to entrap or impregnate the therapeutic agents like drugs, enzymes, proteins, and growth hormones, and to release these at a sustained rate to the wound site for better wound healing management and therapeutics. This book chapter presents a brief overview of wounds, wound healing process, wound dressings, alginate-based hydrogels, and drug releasing from alginate-based hydrogel wound dressings.