Development of films from natural sources for infections during wound healing

Abstract

The skin is the largest organ in the human body, and due to its barrier function, it is susceptible to multiple injuries. The appearance of infections during the wound healing process is a complication that represents a formidable hospital challenge. The presence of opportunistic bacteria with sophisticated resistance mechanisms is difficult to eradicate and compromises patients' lives. Therefore, the search for new efficacious treatments from natural sources that prevent and counteract infections, in addition to promoting the healing process, has increased in recent years. In this respect, films with the capability to protect wounds and release drugs are the presentation that predominates commercially in the hospital environment. Those films can offer several mechanical advantages such as physical protection to prevent opportunistic bacteria's entry, regulation of gas exchange, and capture of exudate through a swelling process. Wound dressings are generally curative materials easily adaptable to different anatomical regions, with high strength and elasticity, and some are even bioabsorbable. Additionally, the components of the films can actively participate in promoting the healing process. Even more, the film can be made up of carriers with other active participants to prevent and eradicate infections. Therefore, the extensive versatility, practicality, and usefulness of films from natural sources to address infectious processes during wound healing are relevant and recurrent themes. This work presents an analysis of the state-of-the-art of films with natural products focused on preventing and eradicating infections in wound healing.

Films for Wound Healing Fabricated Using a Solvent Casting Technique

“…Impermeability to microorganisms and moisture inhibits the growth of bacteria and serves as a physical barrier to water and bacteria. Also, the wound dressing may help to create a moist wound environment and induce autolytic debridement [ 33 , 36 , 58 , 59 , 60 ]. Moreover, the solvent casting method yields better results for wound-healing dressings than the previously mentioned methods.…”

“…Moreover, the main application of PFs varies depending on the treatment of the different wound types. Its versatility is due to the range of polymers available (natural and synthetic) and the ease of industrial scaling for their manufacture [ 59 ]. In addition, a wound dressing is appropriate for its antimicrobial properties because infections can compromise skin healing [ 129 ].…”

“…However, their advantages and parameters to strengthen also depend on the composition of the film and its final purpose. Therefore, the following section will present current commercial medical films for wound healing and some perspectives necessary to enhance research on PFs [ 33 , 36 , 58 , 59 , 60 ].…”

Antibacterial and wound healing applications of curcumin in micro and nano-scaffolds based on chitosan, cellulose, and collagen

“…Various infectious diseases have been complicated by the increasing of multidrug-resistant microorganisms particularly pathogenic bacteria (1)(2)(3)(4). For example, an infected wound such as DFU is a serious health disease resulting from multidrug-resistant microorganisms including bacteria and fungi that may lead to death in patients (5)(6)(7)(8). As a medical aspect, biocompatibility, bioavailability, and biodegradability properties of new micro and nano-formulations to heal infected wounds should be considered as critical factors.…”

Solvent Casting and UV Photocuring for Easy and Safe Fabrication of Nanocomposite Film Dressings

“…Moreover, hydrogels possess adequate biomechanical and viscoelastic properties for suturing to the wound surface or applying to it. Globally, hydrogels meet most of the criteria for modern wound dressings, especially when produced in the form of films [17,18]. Wound dressing films are particularly convenient for wound care management because they are flexible, easy to apply, provide a physical barrier to prevent external opportunistic bacteria's entry and enable easy inspection of the injured site, without the need for dressing removal.…”