Nanomedicine in Healing Chronic Wounds: Opportunities and Challenges

Abstract

The poor healing associated with chronic wounds affects millions of people worldwide through high mortality rates and associated costs. Chronic wounds present three main problems: First, the absence of a suitable environment to facilitate cell migration, proliferation, and angiogenesis; second, bacterial infection; and third, unbalanced and prolonged inflammation. Unfortunately, current therapeutic approaches have not been able to overcome these main issues and, therefore, have limited clinical success. Over the past decade, incorporating the unique advantages of nanomedicine into wound healing approaches has yielded promising outcomes. Nanomedicine is capable of stimulating various cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the wound microenvironment via antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and angiogenetic effects, potentially reversing the wound microenvironment from nonhealing to healing. This review briefly discusses wound healing mechanisms and pathophysiology and then highlights recent findings regarding the opportunities and challenges of using nanomedicine in chronic wound management.

Ficus carica extract impregnated amphiphilic polymer scaffold for diabetic wound tissue regenerations

“…The primary physiological role of wounds includes inflammation, coagulation and removal of affected cellular constituents, followed by angiogenesis, proliferation and migration of the cells. It is divided into haemostasis, inflammation, migration/proliferation, maturation or remodelling [3,4]. Since diabetic wound regeneration is difficult, and it takes 12 weeks for complete repairs.…”

Nanotechnology for Targeted Detection and Removal of Bacteria: Opportunities and Challenges

“…[ 116 ] Future studies should focus on the synergistic roles of nanotechnologies and immune systems to remove/prevent bacterial biofilms; synergistic effects of NPs and the immune system may address major infectious clinical issues, including chronic wounds. [ 117 ]…”

“…[ 80 , 190 ] A considerable portion of the in vivo applications of antibacterial NPs has been focused on implantable biomaterials and wound healing dressings. We have recently reviewed the in vivo antibacterial effects of NPs on wound healing [ 117b ] and implantable biomaterials for bone regeneration. [ 194 ] This is a section, therefore, which is focused on additional in vivo applications of antibacterial NPs.…”

Fabrication of Bio-Nanocomposite Based on HNT-Methionine for Controlled Release of Phenytoin

“…Chronic wounds are among the most costly unresolved health issues that reduce quality of life, costs, and acute conditions [ 1 , 2 ]. The wound healing process includes a sequence of events, including inflammatory responses, regeneration of the epidermis, shrinkage of the wound, and finally, connective tissue formation and remodeling.…”