Asymmetric Membranes: A Potential Scaffold for Wound Healing Applications

Abstract

<jats:p>Currently, due to uprising concerns about wound infections, healing agents have been regarded as one of the major solutions in the treatment of different skin lesions. The usage of temporary barriers can be an effective way to protect wounds or ulcers from dangerous agents and, using these carriers can not only improve the healing process but also they can minimize the scarring and the pain suffered by the human. To cope with this demand, researchers struggled to develop wound dressing agents that could mimic the structural and properties of native skin with the capability to inhibit bacterial growth. Hence, asymmetric membranes that can impair bacterial penetration and avoid exudate accumulation as well as wound dehydration have been introduced. In general, synthetic implants and tissue grafts are expensive, hard to handle (due to their fragile nature and poor mechanical properties) and their production process is very time consuming, while the asymmetric membranes are affordable and their production process is easier than previous epidermal substitutes. Motivated by this, here we will cover different topics, first, the comprehensive research developments of asymmetric membranes are reviewed and second, general properties and different preparation methods of asymmetric membranes are summarized. In the two last parts, the role of chitosan based-asymmetric membranes and electrospun asymmetric membranes in hastening the healing process are mentioned respectively. The aforementioned membranes are inexpensive and possess high antibacterial and satisfactory mechanical properties. It is concluded that, despite the promising current investigations, much effort is still required to be done in asymmetric membranes.</jats:p>

Electrospun Asymmetric Membranes as Promising Wound Dressings: A Review

“…In fact, the wet-phase inversion method was the first technique used to produce membranes with an asymmetric structure [ 30 ]. This technique takes advantage of the polymer precipitation in a non-solvent coagulant bath to originate a membrane comprising a compact top layer and a porous sub-layer [ 31 ]. Marcano and colleagues reported the development of poly(hydroxyalkanoate)/poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) asymmetric membranes using ultrapure water (0.05501 μS × cm −1 and 18.18 MΩ × cm) as a coagulation bath [ 32 ].…”

“…To address these issues, an evaporation step was added before the polymer immersion in the coagulant bath, originating the dry/wet-phase inversion method [ 33 ]. This approach requires the utilization of a volatile solvent that is partially evaporated, which increases the polymer concentration at the top of the film resulting in a denser and less porous top layer [ 31 ]. Mi et al prepared a chitosan (CS) asymmetric membrane enriched with silver sulfadiazine through the dry/wet-phase inversion technique [ 34 ].…”

Electrospun Nanofibrous Scaffolds: Review of Current Progress in the Properties and Manufacturing Process, and Possible Applications for COVID-19

“…Wang et al developed engineered biomimetic superhydrophobic surfaces of electrospun nanomaterials inspired by the lotus leaf [ 175 ]. The same property was explored by investigated silver ragwort leaf and hillock bush leaf [ 101 , 176 ]. Other researchers have focused on the biomimetic of structure and functions of honeycombs, polar bear fur, and spider webs to inspire tissue structure and organ architecture (membrane, bone marrow, etc.)…”

Development and In Vivo Characterization of Probiotic Lysate-Treated Chitosan Nanogel as a Novel Biocompatible Formulation for Wound Healing

“…Wound healing, a network of complex biological processes involving many extracellular and intracellular macromolecules, plays a significant role in skin remodeling and reestablishing the skin barrier following damages [1,2]. Management of the wound healing process costs billions of dollars per year directly, together with the time spent on its management.…”

“…Chitosan is a natural linear polysaccharide composed of poly (1,4), B-D-glucopyranose amine units that can be obtained from the deacetylation of the crushing of crustacean chitin shells. This natural polymer has attractive features such as biologic activity, low toxicity, bioadhesive, biodegradability, biocompatibility, low cost, and antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties [4,5].…”