Bioaerogels: Promising Nanostructured Materials in Fluid Management, Healing and Regeneration of Wounds

Abstract

Wounds affect one’s quality of life and should be managed on a patient-specific approach, based on the particular healing phase and wound condition. During wound healing, exudate is produced as a natural response towards healing. However, excessive production can be detrimental, representing a challenge for wound management. The design and development of new healing devices and therapeutics with improved performance is a constant demand from the healthcare services. Aerogels can combine high porosity and low density with the adequate fluid interaction and drug loading capacity, to establish hemostasis and promote the healing and regeneration of exudative and chronic wounds. Bio-based aerogels, i.e., those produced from natural polymers, are particularly attractive since they encompass their intrinsic chemical properties and the physical features of their nanostructure. In this work, the emerging research on aerogels for wound treatment is reviewed for the first time. The current scenario and the opportunities provided by aerogels in the form of films, membranes and particles are identified to face current unmet demands in fluid managing and wound healing and regeneration.

Improving Polysaccharide-Based Chitin/Chitosan-Aerogel Materials by Learning from Genetics and Molecular Biology

“…In addition, they are ultra-lightweight, have high water absorption capacity, excellent shock-absorbing properties, and are flame and moisture resistant. Overall, these multiple special properties make them suitable for numerous applications in the medical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic sectors, among others [ 4 , 96 ]. The promising use of natural and synthetic aerogels for fluid management, healing, and regeneration of wounds led to the increasing trend of articles published in recent years [ 4 , 96 , 97 , 98 ].…”

“…Chitin is the second-most abundant, non-toxic natural biopolymer containing N-acetylglucosamines (GlcNAc) linked by β-1,4 glycosidic bonds from which chitosan can be derived by N-deacetylation [ 1 , 2 ]. Polysaccharide-based chitin/chitosan materials are increasingly used for future human-made products [ 3 , 4 ]. The reasons for this are manifold, since chitin/chitosan matrices can be flexible and, at the same time, very robust and scratch-resistant [ 5 , 6 ].…”

Marine Polysaccharides for Wound Dressings Application: An Overview

“…Aerogel is a porous, ultra-lightweight material with high mechanical strength [436,437]. The large specific surface area of aerogels allows for better utilisation of the bioactivities of MPs molecules [438].…”

Mesoporous Aerogel Microparticles Injected into the Abdominal Cavity of Mice Accumulate in Parathymic Lymph Nodes

“…Even low water solubility drugs can be loaded up to 40 wt.% into aerogels, and these formulations can be utilized in oral, transdermal and nasal administration routes to increase the bioavailability of the low solubility drugs [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]. Several biopolymer and hybrid aerogels have been investigated as drug delivery systems [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]. Modifications of the structure or the composition of these aerogels offer the possibility of achieving tunable and stimuli-responsive drug release.…”

“…The number of in vivo studies is even lower. These mainly focus on the oral administration of drug-loaded aerogels, and aerogels for tissue regeneration [ 6 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ].…”