Wound-dressing Materials Research Articles

Polysaccharide Fabrication Platforms and Biocompatibility Assessment as Candidate Wound Dressing Materials.

Wound dressings are critical for wound care because they provide a physical barrier between the injury site and outside environment, preventing further damage or infection. Wound dressings also manage and even encourage the wound healing process for proper recovery. Polysaccharide biopolymers are slowly becoming popular as modern wound dressings materials because they are naturally derived, highly abundant, inexpensive, absorbent, non-toxic and non-immunogenic. Polysaccharide biopolymers have also been processed into biomimetic platforms that offer a bioactive component in wound dressings that aid the healing process. This review primarily focuses on the fabrication and biocompatibility assessment of polysaccharide materials. Specifically, fabrication platforms such as electrospun fibers and hydrogels, their fabrication considerations and popular polysaccharides such as chitosan, alginate, and hyaluronic acid among emerging options such as arabinoxylan are discussed. A survey of biocompatibility and bioactive molecule release studies, leveraging polysaccharide’s naturally derived properties, is highlighted in the text, while challenges and future directions for wound dressing development using emerging fabrication techniques such as 3D bioprinting are outlined in the conclusion. This paper aims to encourage further investigation and open up new, disruptive avenues for polysaccharides in wound dressing material development.

N-Acetylglucoseamine modified alginate sponges as scaffolds for skin tissue engineering

In the treatment of dermal wounds, wound-dressing materials prepared from natural mucopolysaccharides are widely used because of their advantages such as nonirritation, nontoxicity, and ease in topical application. In the present study, alginate hydrogels modified with N-acetyl glucose amine (NAG) were prepared as wound-dressing material. Physical, chemical, thermal, and mechanical properties of the hydrogels were studied. Cytotoxicity of the hydrogels on endothelial (HUVEC) and keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells were examined. Anti- and proinflammatory cytokine levels of human monocyte-macrophage cells (THP-1) stimulated with hydrogels were determined. According to the results, increasing the NAG concentration led to an increase in the swelling and nitrogen ratios in the hydrogels. Additionally, increasing the NAG concentration decreased elastic modulus and degradation time. Hydrogels were not cytotoxic on HaCaT and HUVEC cells. It stimulated IL-10 and TNF-alpha levels at a small rate.

Electrospinning of Bioactive Wound-Healing Nets.

The availability of appropriate dressings for treatment of wounds, in particular chronic wounds, is a task that still awaits better solutions than provided by currently applied materials. The method of electrospinning enables the fabrication of novel materials for wound dressings due to the high surface area and porosity of the electrospun meshes and the possibility to include bioactive ingredients. Recent results show that the incorporation of biologically active inorganic polyphosphate microparticles and microspheres and synergistically acting retinoids into electrospun polymer fibers yields biocompatible and antibacterial mats for potential dressings with improved wound-healing properties. The underlying principles and the mechanism of these new approaches in the therapy wounds, in particular wounds showing impaired healing, as well as for further applications in skin regeneration/repair, are summarized.

Polymeric Quaternary Ammonium Compounds: Versatile Antimicrobial Materials.

Polymeric Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (polyQACs) comprise a broad class of materials with applications in medical implants, food processing, and surface sanitizing, amongst many others. These polymeric substances are especially promising due to their potent antibacterial activity and limited hemolytic toxicity. In particular, many polyQACs have superior therapeutic indices and a lower likelihood of developing antibacterial resistance in comparison to their monomers, making them ideal materials for wound dressings, catheters, and other biomedical applications. This review outlines the history and development, previous successes, current state of the research, and future directions of polyQACs in society.

Characterization and evaluation of siderophore-loaded gelatin microspheres: a potent tool for wound-dressing material

Wound healing is a dynamic, interactive process involving soluble mediators, blood cells, and ECM (Extra Cellular Matrix). Significant changes in ECM degradation may lead to delayed wound healing. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs) are a family of endopeptidases that function in the remodeling of ECM proteins, wherein over-expression of these MMPs is capable of degrading ECM and biologically active proteins at the wound sites. Regulations of these MMPs at the wound sites hasten the wound healing. The aim of this study is to release the product which inhibits MMPs and as well as to reduce the bacterial load on the wound site in a controlled manner. Siderophore, organic ion chelator was isolated from Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain S1 and purified through various chromatographic techniques, used as for dual purpose in this study. The design and development of wound dressing through a carrier system, such as microspheres, are indeed a novel approach to promote healing. The design in this study includes preparation of microspheres using gelatin and siderophore (S-GM). The morphological characteristics of the prepared microspheres were found to be rigid, highly porous, and their mean diameter of five siderophore-loaded microspheres formulations was between 7.0 ± 0.52 and 25.3 ± 0. 31 µm. The drug release of the prepared samples was fast, and entrapment efficiency was about 93% at 24 h in Batch 3. Gelatin-modified microspheres were found to be non-toxic and a good biocompatible product which was assessed using NIH 3T3 fibroblast cell lines. The overall study suggests that S-GM microspheres could be used as a potent tool for MMP inhibitor for wound healing applications.

A versatile approach towards multi-functional surfaces via covalently attaching hydrogel thin layers

In this study, a robust and straightforward method to covalently attach multi-functional hydrogel thin layers onto substrates was provided. In our strategy, double bonds were firstly introduced onto substrates to provide anchoring points for hydrogel layers, and then hydrogel thin layers were prepared via surface cross-linking copolymerization of the immobilized double bonds with functional monomers. Sulfobetaine methacrylate (SBMA), sodium allysulfonate (SAS), and methyl acryloyloxygen ethyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (METAC) were selected as functional monomers to form hydrogel layers onto polyether sulfone (PES) membrane surfaces, respectively. The thickness of the formed hydrogel layers could be controlled, and the layers showed excellent long-term stability. The PSBMA hydrogel layer exhibited superior antifouling property demonstrated by undetectable protein adsorption and excellent bacteria resistant property; after attaching PSAS hydrogel layer, the membrane showed incoagulable surface property when contacting with blood confirmed by the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) value exceeding 600s; while, the PMETAC hydrogel thin layer could effectively kill attached bacteria. The proposed method provides a new platform to directly modify material surfaces with desired properties, and thus has great potential to be widely used in designing materials for blood purification, drug delivery, wound dressing, and intelligent biosensors.

Preparation of a Metal and Herbal Nanocomposite (HCNC): Coating onto Wound Dressing Materials and Evaluating its Pharmacological Properties Like Antimicrobial Activity and Biocompatibility

Preparation of a Metal and Herbal Nanocomposite (HCNC): Coating onto Wound Dressing Materials and Evaluating its Pharmacological Properties Like Antimicrobial Activity and Biocompatibility

Exobiopolymer production of Phytocordyceps sp. BCC 2744 and Akanthomyces pistillariiformis BCC 2694; optimization and scale-up

Production of exobiopolymers by Phytocordyceps sp. BCC 2744 and Akanthomyces pistillariiformis BCC 2694, interleukin-8 (IL-8) inducers, were optimized using experimental design. Biological and physiological properties of these exobiopolymers are attractive to use as wound-dressing material, so that it is very interesting to increase its production. Phytocordyceps sp. BCC 2744 and Akanthomyces pistillariiformis BCC 2694 were cultivated on different carbon and nitrogen sources and the best carbon and nitrogen sources for exobiopolymer production of Phytocordyceps sp. BCC 2744 were glucose and peptone, respectively, and 0.88 g/L exobiopolymer was obtained. Higher exobiopolymer (1.82 g/L) was obtained on glucose and meat extract by Akanthomyces pistillariiformis BCC 2694. After the effects of 4 variables were studied using a two-level fractional design, glucose and peptone concentration were the most influential parameters on exobiopolymer production of Phytocordyceps sp. BCC 2744. Lower exobiopolymer production was obtained in the medium supplemented with 5-Fluorouracil and vitamin solution at high level (10 mM and 3mL/L, respectively). The highest exobiopolymer production was obtained on 60 g/L glucose and 20 g/L peptone and 2.32 g/L exobiopolymer was produced. About 4.0 g/L exobiopolymer production in a 20 L bioreactor was obtained. At least 4 variables; medium type, nitrogen sources, glucose, and nitrogen concentration were applied on a two-level factorial design of biomass and exobiopolymer production of Akanthomyces pistillariiformis BCC 2694. Models obtained from the multiple regression are significant. At high level of glucose (60 g/L), phosphate medium, and 20 g/L meat extract, higher exobiopolymer production and about 2.54 g/L was obtained. About 4.5 g/L exobiopolymer production in 20 L bioreactor was obtained.

Polysaccharide-halloysite nanotube composites for biomedical applications: a review

AbstractAs a unique tubular nanoclay, halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) have recently attracted significant research attention. The HNTs have outer diameters of ∼50 nm, inner lumens of ∼20 nm and are 200–1000 nm long. They are biocompatible nanomaterials and widely available in nature, which makes them good candidates for application in biomedicine. Compared with other types of nanoparticles such as polymer nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes, the drawbacks associated with HNTs include brittleness, difficulty with fabrication, low fracture strength, high density and inadequate biocompatibility. Preparation of polysaccharide-HNT composites offer a means to overcome these shortcomings. Halloysite nanotubes can be incorporated easily into polysaccharides via solution mixing, such as with chitosan (CS), sodium alginate, cellulose, pectin and amylose, for forming composite films, porous scaffolds or hydrogels. The interfacial interactions, such as electrostatic attraction and hydrogen bonding, between HNTs and the polysaccharides are critical for improvement of the properties. Morphology results show that HNTs are dispersed uniformly in the composites. The mechanical strength and Young's modulus of the composites in both the dry and wet states are enhanced by HNTs and the HNTs can also increase the storage modulus, glass-transition temperature and thermal stability of the composites. Cytocompatibility results demonstrate that the polysaccharide-HNT composites have low cytotoxicity even for HNT loading >80%. Therefore, the polysaccharide-HNT composites show great potential for biomedical applications, e.g. as tissue engineering scaffold materials, wound-dressing materials, drug-delivery carriers, and cell-isolation surfaces.

The accelerating effect of chitosan-silica hybrid dressing materials on the early phase of wound healing.

Commercialized dressing materials with or without silver have played a passive role in early-phase wound healing, protecting the skin defects from infections, absorbing exudate, and preventing dehydration. Chitosan (CTS)-based sponges have been developed in pure or hybrid forms for accelerating wound healing, but their wound-healing capabilities have not been extensively compared with widely used commercial dressing materials, providing limited information in a practical aspect. In this study, we have developed CTS-silica (CTS-Si) hybrid sponges with water absorption, flexibility, and mechanical behavior similar to those of CTS sponges. In vitro and in vivo tests were performed to compare the CTS-Si sponges with three commercial dressing materials [gauze, polyurethane (PU), and silver-containing hydrofiber (HF-Ag)] in addition to CTS sponges. Both in vitro and in vivo tests showed that CTS-Si sponges promoted fibroblast proliferation, leading to accelerated collagen synthesis, whereas the CTS sponges did not exhibit significant differences in fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis from gauze, PU, and HF-Ag sponges. In case of CTS-Si, the inflammatory cells were actively recruited to the wound by the influence of the released silicon ions from CTS-Si sponges, which, in return, led to an enhanced secretion of growth factors, particularly TGF-β during the early stage. The higher level of TGF-β likely improved the proliferation of fibroblasts, and as a result, collagen synthesis by fibroblasts became remarkably productive, thereby increasing collagen density at the wound site. Therefore, the CTS-Si hybrid sponges have considerable potential as a wound-dressing material for accelerating wound healing. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 105B: 1828-1839, 2017.

Copper-Containing Anti-Biofilm Nanofiber Scaffolds as a Wound Dressing Material.

Copper particles were incorporated into nanofibers during the electrospinning of poly-D,L-lactide (PDLLA) and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO). The ability of the nanofibers to prevent Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA01 and Staphylococcus aureus (strain Xen 30) to form biofilms was tested. Nanofibers containing copper particles (Cu-F) were thinner (326 ± 149 nm in diameter), compared to nanofibers without copper (CF; 445 ± 93 nm in diameter). The crystalline structure of the copper particles in Cu-F was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Copper crystals were encapsulated, but also attached to the surface of Cu-F, as shown scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), respectively. The copper particles had no effect on the thermal degradation and thermal behaviour of Cu-F, as shown by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). After 48 h in the presence of Cu-F, biofilm formation by P. aeruginosa PA01 and S. aureus Xen 30 was reduced by 41% and 50%, respectively. Reduction in biofilm formation was ascribed to copper released from the nanofibers. Copper-containing nanofibers may be incorporated into wound dressings.

Development of Stabilized Growth Factor-Loaded Hyaluronate- Collagen Dressing (HCD) matrix for impaired wound healing.

BackgroundDiabetes mellitus is a disease lack of insulin, which has severely delayed and impaired wound healing capacity. In the previous studies, various types of scaffolds and growth factors were used in impaired wound healing. However, there were several limitations to use them such as short half-life of growth factors in vivo and inadequate experimental conditions of wound-dressing material. Thus, our study aimed to determine the biocompatibility and stability of the matrix containing structurally stabilized epidermal growth factor (S-EGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (S-bFGF).Results and DiscussionWe stabilized EGF and bFGF that are structurally more stable than existing EGF and bFGF. We developed biocompatible matrix using S-EGF, S-bFGF, and hyaluronate– collagen dressing (HCD) matrix. The developed matrix, S-EGF and S-bFGF loaded on HCD matrix, had no cytotoxicity, in vitro. Also, these matrixes had longer releasing period that result in enhancement of half-life. Finally, when these matrixes were applied on the wound of diabetic mice, there were no inflammatory responses, in vivo. Thus, our results demonstrate that these matrixes are biologically safe and biocompatible as wound-dressing material.ConclusionsOur stabilized EGF and bFGF was more stable than existing EGF and bFGF and the HCD matrix had the capacity to efficiently deliver growth factors. Thus, the S-EGF and S-bFGF loaded on HCD matrix had improved stability. Therefore, these matrixes may be suitable for impaired wound healing, resulting in application of clinical treatment.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40824-016-0056-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Superabsorbent Polymer Gels based on Polyaspartic Acid and Polyacrylic Acid

Polymer gels based on polyaspartic acid (PAsp) and polyacrylic acid (PAA) have been synthesised using ethylene glycol dimethylacrylate (diacrylate-EGDMA) and Trimethylolpropane triacrylate (Triacrylate-TMPTA) as cross-linkers. Swelling behaviour of these polymers has been studied in different solutions like glucose, saline and water. The swelling behaviour of these polymers has also been studied under different pH conditions. The swelling capacity has also been analysed under load to have an idea of the gel strength (Absorbency under Load-AUL). Best absorbing characteristics, as indicated by the swelling behaviour, have been observed in case of polymer gels synthesized with EGDMA. Polymers with maximum PAsp have shown maximum superabsorbent properties in case of EGDMA as a cross-linker. However, with TMPTA as a cross-linker molar mass ratio of 1:2 polyaspartic acid: acrylic acid have shown better results. These polymers have better superabsorbent characteristics. TMPTA based polymers have shown better properties under load than EGDMA These polymers can be used as smart polymers for various applications e,g., drug delivery, materials for wound dressings, etc as they have shown varying behaviour in different conditions. The structure of the polymers has been studied by FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy) and NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy). The surface morphology has further supported the results.

Synthesis and physicochemical characterization of chitin dihexanoate — A new biocompatible chitin derivative — In comparison to chitin dibutyrate

Chitin dihexanoate (DHCH) is the novel biocompatible and technologically friendly highly substituted chitin diester. Here we described optimization of DHCH and chitin dibutyrate (dibutyryl chitin, DBC) synthesis conditions (temperature and reaction time) to obtain desired polymers with high reaction yield, high substitution degree (close to 2) and appropriately high molecular weights. A two-step procedure, employing acidic anhydrides (hexanoic or butyric anhydride) as the acylation agent and methanesulfonic acid both as the catalyst and the reaction medium, was applied. Chemical structures of DBC and DHCH were confirmed by NMR (1H and 13C) and IR investigations. Mechanical properties, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry and biocompatibility (Neutral red uptake assay, Skin Sensitization and Irritation Tests) were assessed. Both polymers proved highly biocompatible (non-cytotoxic in vitro, non-irritating and non-allergic to skin) and soluble in several organic solvents (dimethylformamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, acetone, ethanol and others). It is worth emphasizing that DHCH and DBC can be easily processed by solvent casting method and the salt-leaching method, what gives the opportunity to prepare highly porous structures, which can be further successfully applied as the material for wound dressings and scaffolds for tissue engineering.

Effects of a polysaccharide nanogel-crosslinked membrane on wound healing.

Wound-dressing materials that promote wound healing while protecting wounds from infections are advantageous for clinical applications. Hence, we developed a cholesterol-bearing pullulan (CHP) nanogel that stimulated wound healing; however, it was mechanically weak and difficult to handle. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine precisely the effects of a mechanically reinforced nanogel-crosslinked (NanoClik) membrane on wound healing. NanoClik was prepared by mixing a thiol-terminated polyethylene glycol solution and an acryloyl group-modified CHP nanogel solution. A thin silicone sheet membrane, which was combined with NanoClik, was prepared. The NanoClick membranes and both positive and negative control membranes (collagen combined with silicone membrane and silicone membrane alone, respectively) were tested in vivo using a dorsal skin defect rat model. The rate and extent of wound healing was compared between groups after 7 and 14 days of implantation. In the NanoClik membrane group, the wound area was significantly reduced and neoepithelialization was promoted, compared with that observed in the other groups. In addition, extension and accumulation of collagen fibers were evident in the NanoClik membrane group. The NanoClik membrane is a strong candidate for use as an effective and safe wound-dressing material. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 105B: 544-550, 2017.

Potential Application of a Visible Light-Induced Photocured Hydrogel Film as a Wound Dressing Material

The objective of this work was to prepare hydrogel films, as semi-interpenetrating polymer networks (semi-IPN), based on polyethylene glycol-co-fumarate (PEGF) and chitosan (Ch) blends. Hydrogel films were prepared by free radical cross-linking of PEGF, an unsaturated aliphatic polyester, in the presence of N-vinyl pyrrolidone (NVP), camphorquinone (CQ), and N,N-dimethyl-p-toluidine (DMPT) as a cross-linking, photoinitiating, and accelerating agent, respectively. The effect of NVP concentration on physicochemical and biological properties of semi-IPN film properties was evaluated. The sol fraction, water vapor transmission rate, and swelling degree of the hydrogel films were also investigated. Antibacterial activity against S. aureus was observed for the photocured blend hydrogels of Ch/PEGF with no toxicity to L929 cells according to the cell viability assays. Blend hydrogel films showing 600 ± 88% of equilibrium swelling degree in water and the lowest sol fraction (3.14 ± 1.22%) were obtained at 20 wt% of NVP content whilst preserving their own cytocompatibility and antibacterial activity. Therefore, this formulation was considered as an optimal semi-IPN blend hydrogel film composition with potential application for wound dressing.

Poly(Vinyl Alcohol)/Chitosan Nanofibrous Membrane Containing <i>Anredera cordifolia </i>(Ten.) Steenis

A novel nanofibrous membrane that has potential application as antimicrobial wound dressing has been developed. The membrane consisted of PVA and chitosan as a matrix and extract of Binahong leaves as an active antibacterial material for wound dressing. In this study, ex situ fabrication of nanofibrous membrane composed of poly(vinyl alcohol)/chitosan/extract of binahong leaves were described. The fibers were electrospun from a precursor solution composed of 10 ml of PVA 14 %w/v, 2 ml of chitosan 2 % w/v and 4 ml of extract of binahong leaves 2.5% w/v. Nanofibrous membrane yielded from this method was characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). SEM result showed that morphology and diameter of nanofibers were affected by applied voltage and flowrate. Through X-RD it was found that the addition of binahong leaves extract decreased the crystallinity of the electrospun PVA/chitosan nanofibrous membrane.

Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Water Binding Capacity and Mechanical Behavior of Gelatin-Ferula Oil Film as a Wound Dressing Material

Background: Development of biodegradable and biocompatible films based on protein polymer with strong antioxidant and antibacterial activities has gradually obtained extensive concern in the world. In this study, the improvement of gelatin film properties incorporated with Ferula assa-foetida essential oil (FAO) as a potential antioxidant/antibacterial wound dressing film was investigated. Materials and Methods: Gelatin films were prepared from gelatin solutions (10% w/v) containing different concentration of FAO. The effect of FAO addition on water solubility, water swelling, water vapor permeability, mechanical behavior, light barrier properties as well as antioxidant and antibacterial activities of the films were examined. Results: Water solubility, water swelling and water vapor permeability for pure gelatin films were 29 ± 1.6%, 396 ± 8%, 0.23 ± 0.018 g.mm/m2.h, respectively. Incorporation of FAO into gelatin films caused a significant decrease in swelling and increase in solubility and water vapor permeability. Tensile strength, elastic modulus and elongation at break for pure gelatin films were 4.2 ± 0.4 MPa, 5.8 ± 4.2 MPa, 128 ± 8 %, respectively. Incorporation of FAO into gelatin films caused a significant decrease in tensile strength and elastic modulus and increase in elongation at break of the films. Gelatin film showed UV-visible light absorbance ranging from 280 to 480 nm with maximum absorbance at 420 nm. Gelatin/FAO films also exhibited excellent antioxidant ad antimicrobial activities. Conclusions: Our results suggested that gelatin/FAO films could be used as active films due to their excellent antioxidant and antimicrobial features for different biomedical applications including wound-dressing materials.[GMJ.2015;4(2):103-14]

Antimicrobial poly(vinyl alcohol) cryogel–copper nanocomposites for possible applications in biomedical fields

This study explores the in situ fabrication of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) cryogel–copper nanocomposites in view of their increasing applications as antimicrobial packaging, wound dressing and antibacterial materials. The reduction of copper ions into copper nanoparticles was achieved using hydrazine hydrate as reducing agent. The PVA cryogel–copper nanocomposites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma–atomic emission spectrometry, thermogravimetric analysis and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The scanning electron microscopic images illustrated the presence of embedded copper nanoparticles throughout the network and the copper nanoparticles were found to have an average particle size of around 20 nm as observed by TEM. The XRD results showed all relevant Bragg’s reflections for crystal structure of copper nanoparticles. Mechanical properties of nanocomposites were observed in terms of tensile strength and strain at break (%). The PVA cryogel–copper nanocomposites demonstrated significant antibacterial effects against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Vibrio cholerae and Gram-positive bacilli. The prepared PVA cryogel–copper nanocomposites were also evaluated for their water uptake potentials and deswelling behaviours. The swelling experiments were performed for prepared nanocomposites of varying compositions at different pH and temperatures. The in vitro biocompatibility of the prepared nanocomposites was determined by per cent haemolysis and protein (BSA) adsorption tests. Thus, this study may provide novel antibacterial nanocomposites which may potentially be useful in preventing/treating various infections.

Applications of bacterial cellulose and its composites in biomedicine.

Bacterial cellulose produced by few but specific microbial genera is an extremely pure natural exopolysaccharide. Besides providing adhesive properties and a competitive advantage to the cellulose over-producer, bacterial cellulose confers UV protection, ensures maintenance of an aerobic environment, retains moisture, protects against heavy metal stress, etc. This unique nanostructured matrix is being widely explored for various medical and nonmedical applications. It can be produced in various shapes and forms because of which it finds varied uses in biomedicine. The attributes of bacterial cellulose such as biocompatibility, haemocompatibility, mechanical strength, microporosity and biodegradability with its unique surface chemistry make it ideally suited for a plethora of biomedical applications. This review highlights these qualities of bacterial cellulose in detail with emphasis on reports that prove its utility in biomedicine. It also gives an in-depth account of various biomedical applications ranging from implants and scaffolds for tissue engineering, carriers for drug delivery, wound-dressing materials, etc. that are reported until date. Besides, perspectives on limitations of commercialisation of bacterial cellulose have been presented. This review is also an update on the variety of low-cost substrates used for production of bacterial cellulose and its nonmedical applications and includes patents and commercial products based on bacterial cellulose.