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The speed of the various physiological processes that affect wound healing depends on therapeutic agents, such as cytokines, antibacterial agents, growth factors, small molecules, proteins and bioactive agents. In addition to the speed of healing, there are several factors that should be considered in deciding the route of administration of therapies. Localized controlled release in wound healing can provide spatiotemporal control over drug dosage at the wound site, protect drugs from metabolic deactivation and maintain constant drug concentrations for an extended period of time. To define a delivery system as optimal it should be able to sequentially and selectively release antibacterial agents, growth factors, cytokines and other small molecules in a controlled manner so that the wound follows a natural course of healing.

Wound healing is a restorative response that takes place following any surgical procedures or traumatic injuries. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a crucial role in the preparation of the normal wound healing response. Therefore, a correct balance between low and high levels of ROS is essential. Antioxidant dressings that regulate this balance are a target for new therapies. The purpose of this chapter is to introduce the preparations of compounds with antioxidant properties that have been tested for wound healing and to summarize the available evidence on their effects.