Recent Developments in One-Dimensional Polymeric Nanocomposites for Wound Healing and Infection Control

Abstract

Wounds account for a large portion of global mortality and morbidity. In the past, dressings were passive, acting as a physical barrier to pathogens. Traditional dressings suffer from various limitations such as biodegradability, microbial attachment, unfitted wound shapes, and secondary damage to underlying tissues. Hence, the wound-healing market focuses on tissue engineering for improved tissue regeneration through efficiently delivering the drug to the wound site. Considering their higher porosity, bioavailability, increased drug delivery, and tunable physicochemical properties, polymeric nanoparticles are proven to be effective and versatile agents for wound dressing applications. Particularly, nanocomposites achieve targeted wound healing by maintaining hemostasis, microbial killing, angiogenesis, and enhancement of cell proliferation at the wound site. In recent years, one-dimensional polymeric nanocomposite dressings were formulated using natural and synthetic polymers with derived, active drugs for antimicrobial and wound healing purposes. For the generation of one-dimensional polymeric nanocomposites, polymers were compounded with polymers, metals, metal oxides, ceramics, organics, and inorganics. In this chapter, current statistics and mechanisms of wound healing and infection are introduced and commercially available drugs for infection control and wound healing are discussed. In addition, recent advances in various one-dimensional nanocomposites are elaborated upon.