Nanoparticles for the Treatment of Wounds

Abstract

The treatment of skin wounds represents an important research area due to the important physiological and aesthetic role of this tissue. During the last years, nanoparticles have emerged as important platforms to treat skin wounds. Silver, gold, and copper nanoparticles, as well as titanium and zinc oxide nanoparticles, have shown potential therapeutic effects on wound healing. Due to their specific characteristics, nanoparticles such as nanocapsules, polymersomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, and polymeric nanocomplexes are ideal vehicles to improve the effect of drugs (antibiotics, growth factors, etc.) aimed at wound healing. On the other hand, if active excipients are added during the formulation, such as hyaluronate or chitosan, the nanomedicine could significantly improve its potential. In addition, the inclusion of nanoparticles in different pharmaceutical materials may enhance the beneficial effects of the formulations, and allow achieving a better dose control. This paper aims at reviewing significant findings in the area of nanoparticles and wound treatment. Among the reviewed topics, we underline formulations comprising inorganic, polymeric, surfactant self-assembled, and lipid nanosystems. Among the drugs included in the nanoformulations, the paper refers to antibiotics, natural extracts, proteins, and growth factors, among others. Finally, the paper also addresses nanoparticles embedded in secondary vehicles (fibers, dressings, hydrogels, etc.) that could improve their application and/or upgrade the release profile of the active.

Nanomaterials in the Context of Type 2 Immune Responses—Fears and Potentials

“…Silver (Ag) was used for its antibacterial properties since the Roman empire, and nowadays, numerous therapeutical products containing ionic Ag or Ag NPs are on the market (22, 23). Several publications review the beneficial effects of ionic nanoparticulate Ag in wound healing (22, 24, 25). An earlier animal study by Tian et al (26) showed that Ag NPs accelerate healing and improve cosmetic appearance of wounds in a dose-dependent manner.…”

A Review of Injectable and Implantable Biomaterials for Treatment and Repair of Soft Tissues in Wound Healing

“…Due to their specific characteristics, nanoparticles such as nanocapsules, polymersomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, and polymeric nanocomplexes are ideal vehicles to improve the effect of drugs (antibiotics, growth factors, etc.) aimed at wound healing [28].…”

“…Silver, gold, and copper nanoparticles, as well as titanium and zinc oxide nanoparticles, have shown potential therapeutic effects on wound healing [28]. Silver nanoparticles have exhibited good anti-inflammatory properties.…”

“…Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) has been widely investigated for the fabrication of polymeric nanoparticles due to its advantages including biodegradability, biocompatibility, nontoxicity, and approval from regulatory agencies [28]. Studies on the delivery of the peptide LL37 (an endogenous peptide controlling wound healing and angiogenesis) from PLGA nanoparticles hypothesized that a combination of sustained release of lactate (to induce angiogenesis) and LL37 would promote wound closure [41].…”

Collagen-Nanoparticles Composites for Wound Healing and Infection Control

“…Various types of inorganic NPs (such as silver, gold, copper-titanium and zinc oxide) have been shown to have potential therapeutic effects on wound healing, suppressing local skin inflammation and preventing pathogens from entering the skin [38][39][40]. Compared to organic nanostructures, the disadvantages of inorganic NPs are represented by their limited chemical and mechanic stability and swelling [41].…”