Wound Dressing Applications Research Articles

One-step construction of silver nanoparticles immersed hydrogels by triple-helix β-glucans and the application in infectious wound healing

Hydrogels composed of polysaccharides and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are widely recognized for their application in wound dressings, particularly for healing wounds prone to infection. Traditional methods for preparing AgNP-immersed hydrogels are often complex, costly, and may lead to sustained cytotoxicity. To address these challenges, we developed a biocompatible, one-step green reduction strategy to generate AgNPs within hydrogels using a triple-helix β-glucan (PCPA) derived from Poria cocos, a renowned Chinese traditional herb. PCPA serves as a reducing agent, converting silver ions into AgNPs while its triple-helix conformation prevents AgNP aggregation. The resulting hydrogel (PAg-G) is injectable and contains uniformly distributed AgNPs. PAg-G exhibits broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and enhanced bioactivity. The in vivo studies on S.aureus-infected SD rats demonstrated that PAg-G accelerates wound healing within 12 days by down-regulating inflammatory factors such as IL-6 and TNF-α, and up-regulating VEGF and CD31 expression, promoting neovascularization in wound tissues. This innovative one-step construction of AgNP-immersed hydrogels offers a promising approach for the development of antimicrobial hydrogels, especially for treating bacterial-infected wounds.

Hydrogen‐Bonded Organic Frameworks as a Carrier for Nanodrugs with Host–Guest Interaction for Smart Wound Dressing Applications

AbstractThis study introduces surface modification to conventional dressings utilizing adducts of a hydrogen‐bonded organic framework (HOF) with curcumin, curcumin–silver, curcumin‐zinc oxide nanoparticles, and citric acid drugs. Accordingly, eight HOF‐AMs and dressings modified with them were studied. The synthesized structures underwent characterization using various methods, including IR, 1H NMR, XRD, FE‐SEM, and EDX. FE‐SEM results show that the hexagonal morphology is maintained along with the crystal growth in the form of hexagonal tubes. In order to confirm the nanoscale nature of the structures, TEM analysis was conducted specifically for curcumin‐Ag nanoparticles and curcumin–ZnO nanoparticles which confirms the particle size smaller than 50 nm. Knowing the sensitivity of the release of the incorporated substances to temperature and pH, the controlled release of the drugs at two different temperatures (37 °C and 40 °C) and pH levels of 5.5, 7.4, and 9 at the modified dressings was investigated. Investigating the release of HOF‐AMs particles and modified dressings indicates that these products in both cases provide the possibility of drug release in alkaline and acidic pHs. Also, the results showed that increasing the temperature increases the release of curcumin particles in all its types. The modified dressings showed a loading capacity of more than 50 mg g−1.

Multifunctional poly(ether‐urethane) elastomer based on dynamic phenol-urethane and disulfide bonds: Simultaneously showing superior toughness, self-healing, shape memory, antibacterial, and antioxidative properties

Multifunctional polymers are highly desirable for developing smart materials in medical applications. This study proposed a facile strategy to fabricate a new multifunctional poly(ether‐urethane) incorporating disulfide bonds and phenol-urethane bonds (PEU−TS). The distinctive feature of the designed PEU−TS elastomers was the presence of abundant phenolic hydroxyl groups, dynamic aromatic disulfide bonds, phenol-urethane bonds, and multiple H-bonds between urethane groups and tannic acid (TA) molecules, which endowed the materials with superior antibacterial and antioxidative activities, self‐healing capabilities, and shape memory functions. Furthermore, the phenol-carbamate crosslinked networks enhanced the tensile properties and improved the biostability of the elastomers. Biocompatibility evaluation further demonstrated that networked PEU−TS composites possessed favorable cell viability and high cytocompatibility. The multifunctional PEU−TS elastomers with robust tensile properties hold great potential for application in durable implants and chronic wound dressings. This elaborate design could inspire the development of multifunctional PU materials over wide medical applications.

Preparation and Properties of Crosslinked Quaternized Chitosan-Based Hydrogel Films Ionically Bonded with Acetylsalicylic Acid for Biomedical Materials.

The aim of the current study is to develop chitosan-based biomaterials which can sustainably release acetylsalicylic acid while presenting significant biological activity. Herein, an innovative ionic bonding strategy between hydroxypropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride chitosan (HACC) and acetylsalicylic acid (AA) was proposed, skillfully utilizing the electrostatic attraction of the ionic bond to achieve the controlled release of drugs. Based on this point, six crosslinked N-[(2-hydroxy-3-trimethylammonium)propyl]chitosan acetylsalicylic acid salt (CHACAA) hydrogel films with varying acetylsalicylic acid contents were prepared by a crosslinking reaction. The results of 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR) and scanning electron morphology (SEM) confirmed the crosslinked structure, while the obtained hydrogel films possessed favorable thermal stability, mechanical properties, and swelling ability. In addition, the drug release behavior of the hydrogel films was also investigated. As expected, the prepared hydrogel films demonstrated the capability for the sustainable release of acetylsalicylic acid due to ion pair attraction dynamics. Furthermore, the bioactivities of CHACAA-3 and CHACAA-4 hydrogel films with acetylsalicylic acid molar equivalents of 1.25 and 1.5 times those of HACC were particularly pronounced, which not only exhibited an excellent drug sustained-release ability and antibacterial effect, but also had a higher potential for binding and scavenging inflammatory factors, including NO and TNF-α. These findings suggest that CHACAA-3 and CHACAA-4 hydrogel films hold great potential for applications in wound dressing, tissue engineering scaffolds, and drug carriers.

Copper Nanoparticle Loaded Electrospun Patches for Infected Wound Treatment: From Development to In-Vivo Application.

This study investigates the development and application of electrospun wound dressings based on polylactic acid (PLA) nanofibers, chitosan, and copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) for the treatment of purulent skin wounds. The materials were evaluated for their structural, antibacterial, and wound healing properties using an animal model. PLA/Ch-CuNPs demonstrated the most significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, surpassing the other tested materials. The integration of CuNPs into the nanofiber matrices not only enhanced the antimicrobial efficacy but also maintained the structural integrity and biocompatibility of the dressings. In vivo experiments using a rat model showed that PLA/Ch-CuNPs facilitated faster wound healing with reduced exudative and inflammatory responses compared to PLA alone or PLA-CuNPs. Histological and immunohistochemical assessments revealed that the combination of PLA, chitosan, and CuNPs mitigated the inflammatory processes and promoted tissue regeneration more effectively. However, this study identified potential toxicity related to copper ions, emphasizing the need for careful optimization of CuNP concentrations. These findings suggest that PLA/Ch-CuNPs could serve as a potent, cost-effective wound dressing with broad-spectrum antibacterial properties, addressing the challenge of antibiotic-resistant infections and enhancing wound healing outcomes.

Commercial Silver-Based Dressings: In Vitro and Clinical Studies in Treatment of Chronic and Burn Wounds.

Chronic wounds are a major health problem because of delayed healing, causing hardships for the patient. The infection present in these wounds plays a role in delayed wound healing. Silver wound dressings have been used for decades, beginning in the 1960s with silver sulfadiazine for infection prevention for burn wounds. Since that time, there has been a large number of commercial silver dressings that have obtained FDA clearance. In this review, we examine the literature involving in vitro and in vivo (both animal and human clinical) studies with commercial silver dressings and attempt to glean the important characteristics of these dressings in treating infected wounds. The primary presentation of the literature is in the form of detailed tables. The narrative part of the review focuses on the different types of silver dressings, including the supporting matrix, the release characteristics of the silver into the surroundings, and their toxicity. Though there are many clinical studies of chronic and burn wounds using silver dressings that we discuss, it is difficult to compare the performances of the dressings directly because of the differences in the study protocols. We conclude that silver dressings can assist in wound healing, although it is difficult to provide general treatment guidelines. From a wound dressing point of view, future studies will need to focus on new delivery systems for silver, as well as the type of matrix in which the silver is deposited. Clearly, adding other actives to enhance the antimicrobial activity, including the disruption of mature biofilms is of interest. From a clinical point of view, the focus needs to be on the wound healing characteristics, and thus randomized control trials will provide more confidence in the results. The application of different wound dressings for specific wounds needs to be clarified, along with the application protocols. It is most likely that no single silver-based dressing can be used for all wounds.

Enhanced antibacterial activity of starch-alginate beads by a synergistic effect between Cu2+ and Zn2+ ions with a potential wound dressing application

The synthesis and characterization of starch/alginate composite beads, crosslinked with Cu2+, Zn2+, and Cu:Zn mixtures were investigated, focusing on their potential application in exudative wound dressings. Hydrogel beads were prepared using the external gelation method and then dried via freeze-drying to create cryogels and air-drying to create xerogels. Microstructural characterization was performed using SEM and EDS, showing the typical porous structure with a homogeneous distribution of cations across the beads. Unimetallic beads exhibited higher equilibrium water uptake compared to Cu:Zn bimetallic beads (500 % vs. 300 %). After the swelling study, the total amount of Cu2+ released was significantly below the maximum allowed level as a safeguard against copper toxicity. All beads demonstrated excellent antimicrobial activity against E. coli, S. aureus, and P. aeruginosa. Bimetallic materials, particularly cryogels with equal or greater amount of zinc relative to copper, were particularly effective against P. aeruginosa. Hence, the synthesized bimetallic starch-alginate materials presented superior water absorption capacity and significantly enhanced antibacterial response compared to unimetallic beads, due to the synergistic effect between Cu2+ and Zn2+ ions, making then suitable for use in exudative wound dressings.

The prospects of application of antimicrobial biodegradable wound dressings for the treatment of purulent wounds

The prospects of application of antimicrobial biodegradable wound dressings for the treatment of purulent wounds

A Spironolactone-Based Prototype of an Innovative Biomedical Patch for Wound Dressing Applications.

The electrospinning process is an effective technique for creating micro- and nanofibers from synthetic and natural polymers, with significant potential for biomedical applications and drug delivery systems due to their high drug-loading capacity, large surface area, and tunable release times. Poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) stands out for its excellent thermo-mechanical properties, biodegradability, and bioabsorbability. Electrospun PLLA nanofibrous structures have been extensively investigated as wound dressings, sutures, drug delivery carriers, and tissue engineering scaffolds. This study aims to create and characterize electrospun PLLA membranes loaded with spironolactone (SP), mimicking active compounds of Ganoderma lucidum (GL), to develop a biodegradable patch for topical wound-healing applications. GL, a medicinal mushroom, enhances dermal wound healing with its bioactive compounds, such as polysaccharides and ganoderic acids. Focusing on GL extracts-obtained through green extraction methods-and innovative drug delivery, we created new fibers for wound-healing potential applications. To integrate complex mixtures of bioactive compounds into the fibers, we developed a prototype using a single pure substance representing the extract mixture. This painstaking work presents the results of the fabricating, wetting, moisture properties, material resilience, and full characterization of the product, providing a robust rationale for the fabrication of fibers imbued with more complex extracts.

Nanofibers Membrane Loaded with Titanium Oxide and Rifampicin as Controlled Drug Delivery System for Wound Dressing Applications

Nanofibers Membrane Loaded with Titanium Oxide and Rifampicin as Controlled Drug Delivery System for Wound Dressing Applications

Preparation and Characterization of Antibacterial Hydrogels from Poly(vinyl alcohol)/Aloe vera/Chitosan for Burn Wound Dressing Application

Preparation and Characterization of Antibacterial Hydrogels from Poly(vinyl alcohol)/Aloe vera/Chitosan for Burn Wound Dressing Application

Antibacterial Hydrogels for Wound Dressing Applications: Current Status, Progress, Challenges, and Trends.

Bacterial infection treatment for chronic wounds has posed a major medical threat and challenge. Bacteria at the wounded sites can compete with the immune system and subsequently invade live tissues, leading to more severe tissue damage. Therefore, there is an urgent demand for wound dressings with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Considering the concept of moist healing, hydrogels with a three-dimensional (3D) network structure are widely used as wound dressings due to their excellent hydrophilicity, water retention properties, and biocompatibility. Developing antibacterial hydrogels for the treatment of infected wounds has been receiving extensive attention recently. This article categorizes antibacterial hydrogels according to their materials and antibacterial modes, and introduces the recent findings and progress regarding their status. More importantly, with the development of emerging technologies, new therapies are utilized to prepare antibacterial hydrogels such as nanoenzymes, photothermal therapy (PTT), photodynamic therapy (PDT), metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), and other external stimuli-responsive methods. Therefore, this review also examines their progress, challenges, and future trends as wound dressings. In the following studies, there will still be a focus on antibacterial hydrogels that have a high performance, multi-functions, and intelligence, especially biocompatibility, a high and long-lasting antibacterial property, responsiveness, and on-demand therapeutic ability.

Principles and Design of Bionic Hydrogel Adhesives for Skin Wound Treatment.

Over millions of years of evolution, nature has developed a myriad of unique features that have inspired the design of adhesives for wound healing. Bionic hydrogel adhesives, capable of adapting to the dynamic movements of tissues, possess superior biocompatibility and effectively promote the healing of both external and internal wounds. This paper provides a systematic review of the design and principles of these adhesives, focusing on the treatment of skin wounds, and explores the feasibility of incorporating nature-inspired properties into their design. The adhesion mechanisms of bionic adhesives are analyzed from both chemical and physical perspectives. Materials from natural and synthetic polymers commonly used as adhesives are detailed regarding their biocompatibility and degradability. The multifunctional design elements of hydrogel adhesives for skin trauma treatment, such as self-healing, drug release, responsive design, and optimization of mechanical and physical properties, are further explored. The aim is to overcome the limitations of conventional treatments and offer a safer, more effective solution for the application of bionic wound dressings.

Preparation and characterization of amidated pectin-gelatin-oxidized tannic acid hydrogel films supplemented with in-situ reduced silver nanoparticles for wound-dressing applications

Wound dressings play a crucial role in protecting injured tissues and promoting the healing process. Traditional fabrication of antibacterial wound dressings can be complex and may involve toxic components. In this study, we developed an innovative hydrogel film (AP:GE@OTA/Ag) composed of amidated pectin (AP), gelatin (GE), oxidized tannic acid (OTA) at varying concentrations, and in-situ reduced silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). FTIR and XRD analyses confirmed that crosslinking occurs via interactions between OTA quinone groups and free amino groups in AP and GE. TEM imaging demonstrated the well-dispersed AgNPs with an average particle size of 58.64 nm, while the TG measurements indicated the enhancement of the thermal stability compared to AP:GE films. The AP:GE@OTA/Ag films exhibited superior fluid uptake ability (90.96 % at 2 h), water retention capacity (91.69 % at 2 h), and water vapor transmission rate (1903.29 g/m2/day), alongside improved tensile strength (38 MPa). Additionally, these films showed excellent cytocompatibility and sustained potent antimicrobial activity against S. aureus and E. coli with low AgNPs loadings of 1.02 ± 0.13 μg/cm2. NIT-1 mouse insulinoma cells demonstrated robust proliferation when cultured with the prepared dressings. These films significantly accelerated wound repair in a skin excision model, indicating their potential clinical applications for wound healing.

Collagen-β-cyclodextrin hydrogels for advanced wound dressings: super-swelling, antibacterial action, inflammation modulation, and controlled drug release

A key strategy in enhancing the efficacy of collagen-based hydrogels involves incorporating polysaccharides, which have shown great promise for wound healing. In this study, semi-interpenetrating polymeric network (semi-IPN) hydrogels comprised of collagen (Col) with the macrocyclic oligosaccharide β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) (20–80 wt.%) were synthesised. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed the successful fabrication of these Col/β-CD hydrogels, evidenced by the presence of characteristic absorption bands, including the urea bond band at ∼1740 cm−1, related with collagen crosslinking. Higher β-CD content was associated with increased crosslinking, higher swelling, and faster gelation. The β-CD content directly influenced the morphology and semi-crystallinity. All Col/β-CD hydrogels displayed superabsorbent properties, enhanced thermal stability, and exhibited slow degradation rates. Mechanical properties were significantly improved with contents higher than β-CD 40 wt.%. These hydrogels inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli bacteria and facilitated the controlled release of agents, such as malachite green, methylene blue, and ketorolac. The chemical composition of the Col/β-CD hydrogels did not induce cytotoxic effects on monocytes and fibroblast cells. Instead, they actively promoted cellular metabolic activity, encouraging cell growth and proliferation. Moreover, cell signalling modulation was observed, leading to changes in the expression of TNF-α and IL-10 cytokines. In summary, the results of this research indicate that these novel hydrogels possess multifunctional characteristics, including biocompatibility, super-swelling capacity, good thermal, hydrolytic, and enzymatic degradation resistance, antibacterial activity, inflammation modulation, and the ability to be used for controlled delivery of therapeutic agents, indicating high potential for application in advanced wound dressings.

Tailoring of Gelatin-Chitosan Nanofibers Functionalized with Eucalyptus Essential Oil via Electroblowing for Potential Food Packaging and Wound Dressing Applications

In recent years, new approaches to fabricating nanofiber networks for potential applications in wound dressing and food packaging have been in the spotlight. This study aimed to produce functional webs based on gelatin, chitosan, and eucalyptus essential oil using the electro-blowing method instead of traditional spinning methods such as electrospinning. The resultant nanofiber webs exhibit promising morphological characteristics, including reduced fiber diameters, enhanced air permeability, and improved thermal stability. The integration of chitosan and eucalyptus essential oil overcomes limitations associated with gelatin, offering enhanced mechanical properties, antibacterial efficacy, and potential attributes for wound healing and food packaging. The combination of gelatin and chitosan contributes to biodegradability and biocompatibility, crucial for developing materials compatible with the natural environment. The addition of eucalyptus essential oil provides an additional layer of antimicrobial protection, aligning with sustainability goals in wound care and active food packaging. A comprehensive analysis encompassing SEM morphologies, fiber diameters, air permeability, FTIR spectra, TGA thermograms, and contact angle measurements establishes a thorough understanding of the fabricated nanofiber webs’ characteristics. Despite the favorable properties exhibited by the developed nanofiber webs for wound healing and food packaging applications, the incorporation of eucalyptus essential oil resulted in a reduction in tensile strength and elongation ratios. This observation highlights the necessity for further optimization and fine-tuning of the formulation to strike a balance between antimicrobial benefits and mechanical properties. Distinguished by its unique combination of gelatin, chitosan, and eucalyptus essential oil, this research contributes to the advancement of nanofiber technology, expanding knowledge in the field and paving the way for the development of advanced materials with enhanced therapeutic properties for wound healing and food packaging.Graphical

Enhanced Hydrogel Materials: Incorporating Vitamin C and Plant Extracts for Biomedical Applications.

In recent years, the utilization of natural components has become crucial across various industries, including medicine. Particularly in biomedical contexts, hydrogel materials are of significant importance. Therefore, the objective of this research was to develop and analyze hydrogel materials infused with vitamin C. A key focus of this study was to conduct multiple syntheses with varying levels of vitamin C to explore the feasibility of creating materials with adjustable properties. The produced hydrogels underwent comprehensive physicochemical evaluation. The findings of this examination verified the correlation between the vitamin C content and the specific characteristics of the hydrogels. It was determined from these results that the samples displayed both sorptive and antioxidative capabilities, enabling their potential application in wound dressings or other biomedical uses. A notable benefit of these hydrogels is their adaptability, allowing for modifications to achieve desired attributes tailored to particular applications.

All-in-one polysaccharide hydrogel with resistant vascular burst pressure and cooperative wound microenvironment regulation for fatal arterial hemorrhage and diabetic wound healing

Fatal massive hemorrhage and diabetic wound healing are world widely challenging in surgical managements, and uncontrolled bleeding, chronic inflammation and damaged remodeling heavily hinder the whole healing processes. Considering hemostasis, inflammation and wound microenvironment cooperatively affect the healing progression, we design all-in-one beta-glucan (BG) hybrid hydrogels reinforced with laponite nanoclay that demonstrate tunable tissue adhesion, resistant vascular burst pressure and cooperative wound microenvironment regulation for arterial hemostasis and diabetic wound prohealing. Those hydrogels had honeycomb-like porous microstructure with average pore size of 7–19 μm, tissue adhesion strength of 18–46 kPa, and vascular burst pressure of 58–174 mmHg to achieve superior hemostasis in rat liver and femoral artery models. They could effectively scavenge reactive oxygen species, transform macrophages from proinflammatory M1 into prohealing M2, and shorten the inflammation duration via synergistic actions of BG and nitric oxide (NO). Single treatment of NO-releasing BG hybrid hydrogels attained complete closure of diabetic wounds within 14 days, orchestrated to accelerate the epithelization and dermis growth, and restored normal vascularization, achieving high performance healing with optimal collagen deposition and hair follicle regeneration. Consequently, this work opens up a new avenue to design all-in-one polysaccharide hydrogels for applications in massive bleeding hemostats and diabetic wound dressings.

Physicochemical and Mechanical Properties of Non-Isocyanate Polyhydroxyurethanes (NIPHUs) from Epoxidized Soybean Oil: Candidates for Wound Dressing Applications.

Only 0.1% of polyurethanes available on the market are from renewable sources. With increasing concern about climate change, the substitution of monomers derived from petrochemical sources and the application of eco-friendly synthesis processes is crucial for the development of biomaterials. Therefore, polyhydroxyurethanes have been utilized, as their synthesis route allows for the carbonation of vegetable oils with carbon dioxide and the substitution of isocyanates known for their high toxicity, carcinogenicity, and petrochemical origin. In this study, polyhydroxyurethanes were obtained from carbonated soybean oil in combination with two diamines, one that is aliphatic (1,4-butadiamine (putrescine)) and another that is cycloaliphatic (1,3-cyclohexanobis(methylamine)). Four polyhydroxyurethanes were obtained, showing stability in hydrolytic and oxidative media, thermal stability above 200 °C, tensile strength between 0.9 and 1.1 MPa, an elongation at break between 81 and 222%, a water absorption rate up 102%, and contact angles between 63.70 and 101.39. New formulations of bio-based NIPHUs can be developed with the inclusion of a cycloaliphatic diamine (CHM) for the improvement of mechanical properties, which represents a more sustainable process for obtaining NIPHUs with the physicochemical, mechanical, and thermal properties required for the preparation of wound dressings.

Co-Delivery of Dragon's Blood and Alkanna tinctoria Extracts Using Electrospun Nanofibers: In Vitro and In Vivo Wound Healing Evaluation in Diabetic Rat Model.

The increasing prevalence of diabetic wounds presents a significant challenge due to the difficulty of natural healing and various obstacles. Dragon's blood (DB) and Alkanna tinctoria (AT) are well recognized for their potent healing abilities, which include potent antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, electrospun nanofibers (NFs) based on polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) were co-loaded with both DB and AT, aiming to magnify their efficacy as wound-dressing applications for diabetic wound healing. The evaluation of these NFs as wound dressings was conducted using a streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model. Electrospun NFs were prepared using the electrospinning of the PVP polymer, resulting in nanofibers with consistent, smooth surfaces. The loading capacity (LC) of AT and DB into NFs was 64.1 and 70.4 µg/mg, respectively, while in the co-loaded NFs, LC was 49.6 for AT and 57.2 µg/mg for DB. In addition, X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed that DB and AT were amorphously dispersed within the NFs. The loaded NFs showed a dissolution time of 30 s in PBS (pH 7.4), which facilitated the release of AT and DB (25-38% after 10 min), followed by a complete release achieved after 180 min. The antibacterial evaluation demonstrated that the DB-AT mixture had potent activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Along with that, the DB-AT NFs showed effective growth inhibition for both P. aeruginosa and S. aureus compared to the control NFs. Moreover, wound healing was evaluated in vivo in diabetic Wistar rats over 14 days. The results revealed that the DB-AT NFs improved wound healing within 14 days significantly compared to the other groups. These results highlight the potential application of the developed DB-AT NFs in wound healing management, particularly in diabetic wounds.