A Comprehensive Review on Alginate as Wound Dressing Biomaterial

Abstract

Background: The design and characteristics of alginate biomaterial have a significant role in wound dressing and tissue regeneration. The ideal biomaterial for wound dressing must have biodegradable, biocompatible, non-inflammatory, non-toxic. Objective: Wound dressing should promote the re-epithelization and protect the wound for further infection by creating a moist environment. The physical and mechanical nature of the alginate biopolymer has the potential to influence the pathophysiological mechanisms in the chronic wound actively. The application of this biomaterial provides an ampule advantage to synthetic polymers. Method: The wound healing process is a critical step involved in different phases. The presence of cross-linkers, polymers along with alginate lead to a decrease in the mechanical property of dressing. Hence the effective material choosing along with alginate is a very critical decision. The therapeutic efficacy of the alginate dressing system (film, hydrogel, wafer, etc.) influenced by the incorporation of different materials such as bioactive agents, nanoparticles, cross-linker, nature of the excipients, etc. Results: The ion exchange occurring between dressing and exudates resulted in the formation of gel, due to the glucuronic acid presence in alginate. This gel absorbs moisture and maintains an appropriate moist environment and actively influence the pathophysiological mechanisms in the chronic wound. Conclusion: This review gives a detailed knowledge of the researchers to work with alginate and provides knowledge about the incorporation of the appropriate material and their therapeutic efficacy in wound dressing.