Boric acid‐impregnated silk fibroin/gelatin/hyaluronic acid‐based films for improving the wound healing process

Propolis-loaded photocurable methacrylated pullulan films: Evaluation of mechanical, antibacterial, biocompatibility, wound healing and pro-angiogenic abilities

The ultimate goal of this study was to establish the groundwork for the development of high-mechanical pullulan based films for wound healing applications. For this purpose, pullulan (PUL) was successfully methacrylated with different methacrylic anhydride amounts and used for the fabrication of photocurable wound dressing films (PULMA). The mechanical properties of the films, evaluated by changing the methacrylation degree and polymer concentration for better mechanical performance, indicated the best results in terms of elastic modulus (2.55 ± 0.15 MPa), tensile strength (2.48 ± 0.12 MPa), and elongation at break (848 ± 111 %). Additionally, the incorporation of PRO into wound dressing films has demonstrated strong antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, and it has also improved the release profile. The obtained films have scavenging properties against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). The wound dressing films were not cytotoxic to NIH/3T3 cells, a fibroblast cell line, according to the cytotoxicity assay. The in vitro scratch test showed that PRO incorporated films induced cell migration, suggesting that they have the potential to close wounds and promote healing. According to the image analysis conducted following the in ovo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) test, PRO inclusion boosted different angiogenesis parameters stemming from the films. Clear evidence has been found that PRO loaded into high mechanical performance PUL based films can be suitable for advanced wound dressing applications.

Hydrogels in Cutaneous Wound Healing: Insights into Characterization, Properties, Formulation and Therapeutic Potential

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.

Protein-modified nanomaterials: emerging trends in skin wound healing

Prolonged inflammation can impede wound healing, which is regulated by several proteins and cytokines, including IL-4, IL-10, IL-13, and TGF-β. Concentration-dependent effects of these molecules at the target site have been investigated by researchers to develop them as wound-healing agents by regulating signaling strength. Nanotechnology has provided a promising approach to achieve tissue-targeted delivery and increased effective concentration by developing protein-functionalized nanoparticles with growth factors (EGF, IGF, FGF, PDGF, TGF-β, TNF-α, and VEGF), antidiabetic wound-healing agents (insulin), and extracellular proteins (keratin, heparin, and silk fibroin). These molecules play critical roles in promoting cell proliferation, migration, ECM production, angiogenesis, and inflammation regulation. Therefore, protein-functionalized nanoparticles have emerged as a potential strategy for improving wound healing in delayed or impaired healing cases. This review summarizes the preparation and applications of these nanoparticles for normal or diabetic wound healing and highlights their potential to enhance wound healing.

Natural Polymer-Based Thin Film Strategies for Skin Regeneration in Lieu of Regenerative Dentistry

Wound healing (WH) is a complex and dynamic process that comprises of a series of molecular and cellular events that occur after tissue injury. The injuries of the maxillofacial and oral region caused by trauma or surgery result in undesirable WH such as delayed wound closure and formation of scar tissue. Skin tissue engineering (TE)/regeneration is an emerging approach toward faster, superior, and more effective resolution of clinically significant wounds effectively. A multitude of TE principles approaches are being put to action for the fabrication of hydrogels, electrospun sheets, 3D scaffolds, and thin films that can be used as wound dressings materials, sutures, or skin substitutes. Thin films are advantageous over other materials owing to their flexibility, ability to provide a barrier against external contamination, easy gaseous exchange, and easy monitoring of wounds. This review focuses on wound-dressing films and their significance and discusses various fabrication techniques. In addition, we explore various natural biopolymers that can be used for fabrication of skin TE materials. Impact Statement In this review article, critical evaluations of natural polymers used in skin regeneration were discussed. Further, the fabrication technology of the 2D and 3D material in wound healing were discussed.

Photocurable silk fibroin-based tissue sealants with enhanced adhesive property for the treatment of corneal perforations

Corneal defects are associated with corneal tissue engineering in terms of vision loss. The treatment of corneal defects is an important clinical challenge due to uniform corneal thickness and the...