Chitosan-Based Functional Materials for Skin Wound Repair: Mechanisms and Applications

Abstract

Skin wounds not only cause physical pain for patients but also are an economic burden for society. It is necessary to seek out an efficient approach to promote skin repair. Hydrogels are considered effective wound dressings. They possess many unique properties like biocompatibility, biodegradability, high water uptake and retention etc., so that they are promising candidate materials for wound healing. Chitosan is a polymeric biomaterial obtained by the deacetylation of chitin. With the properties of easy acquisition, antibacterial and hemostatic activity, and the ability to promote skin regeneration, hydrogel-like functional wound dressings (represented by chitosan and its derivatives) have received extensive attentions for their effectiveness and mechanisms in promoting skin wound repair. In this review, we extensively discussed the mechanisms with which chitosan-based functional materials promote hemostasis, anti-inflammation, proliferation of granulation in wound repair. We also provided the latest information about the applications of such materials in wound treatment. In addition, we summarized the methods to enhance the advantages and maintain the intrinsic nature of chitosan via incorporating other chemical components, active biomolecules and other substances into the hydrogels.

Characterization and Ex Vivo Application of Indocyanine Green Chitosan Patches in Dura Mater Laser Bonding

“…Our findings with the ICG-chitosan patches reiterate the importance of the polymer in maintaining the monomeric absorbance at physiological temperature. The enhancement and the stability of ICG monomer absorbance in the ICG-chitosan patches have implications in phototherapeutic applications of this material, such as photothermal procedures or photodynamic therapy (PDT), as previously demonstrated [ 11 , 32 , 33 ].…”

Biomaterials for Soft Tissue Repair and Regeneration: A Focus on Italian Research in the Field

“…The polycationic character of CHS determines its unique bioactive properties, such as hemostatic mucoadhesive, proliferation and antimicrobial ones, which make CHS a multifunctional polymer for wound healing [ 117 , 118 , 119 ]. Moreover, thanks to its well-known biocompatibility, non-toxicity and biodegradability, CHS use in wound dressings is approved by FDA and several CHS containing hemostatic products are currently available on the market in the United States [ 120 ].…”

Instant in-situ Tissue Repair by Biodegradable PLA/Gelatin Nanofibrous Membrane Using a 3D Printed Handheld Electrospinning Device

“…Dressings play an important role in wound healing. They not only protect the wound from contamination, enhance ventilation, and absorb exudate but also maintain the moisture of the wound, have good tissue biocompatibility and biodegradability, and promote skin regeneration (Feng et al, 2021 ). In recent years, with the rapid development of biomaterial technology, a large number of excellent biomaterials have shown great potential for clinical application, mainly including synthetic polymer materials [polylactic acid (PLA), polycaprolactone (PCL), polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, polyether ether ketone, etc.]…”