Status and Future Scope of Soft Nanoparticles-Based Hydrogel in Wound Healing

Abstract

Wounds are alterations in skin integrity resulting from any type of trauma. The healing process is complex, involving inflammation and reactive oxygen species formation. Therapeutic approaches for the wound healing process are diverse, associating dressings and topical pharmacological agents with antiseptics, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial actions. Effective treatment must maintain occlusion and moisture in the wound site, suitable capacity for the absorption of exudates, gas exchange, and the release of bioactives, thus stimulating healing. However, conventional treatments have some limitations regarding the technological properties of formulations, such as sensory characteristics, ease of application, residence time, and low active penetration in the skin. Particularly, the available treatments may have low efficacy, unsatisfactory hemostatic performance, prolonged duration, and adverse effects. In this sense, there is significant growth in research focusing on improving the treatment of wounds. Thus, soft nanoparticles-based hydrogels emerge as promising alternatives to accelerate the healing process due to their improved rheological characteristics, increased occlusion and bioadhesiveness, greater skin permeation, controlled drug release, and a more pleasant sensory aspect in comparison to conventional forms. Soft nanoparticles are based on organic material from a natural or synthetic source and include liposomes, micelles, nanoemulsions, and polymeric nanoparticles. This scoping review describes and discusses the main advantages of soft nanoparticle-based hydrogels in the wound healing process. Herein, a state-of-the-art is presented by addressing general aspects of the healing process, current status and limitations of non-encapsulated drug-based hydrogels, and hydrogels formed by different polymers containing soft nanostructures for wound healing. Collectively, the presence of soft nanoparticles improved the performance of natural and synthetic bioactive compounds in hydrogels employed for wound healing, demonstrating the scientific advances obtained so far.

Chitosan-Based Scaffolds Incorporated with Silver Nanoparticles for the Treatment of Infected Wounds

“…Membranes are wound dressing materials that possess similar features to films. However, membranes’ ability to absorb excess exudate, keep biological fluids under pressure, maintain suitable moisture for rapid wound repair mechanism, possess effective cleaning activity, not need frequent dressing changes, and reduce the disruption of the wound bed make them interesting wound dressings for infected wounds [ 21 , 137 ]. Furthermore, membranes display excellent mechanical features, such as stretchability, softness, and flexibility [ 137 ].…”

“…The clot formation protects the wound from the invasion of exogenous agents, reduces fluid and blood loss, and offers a provisional matrix that initiates the healing process. Neutrophils and macrophages are recruited, and they secrete signaling factors that manage the next phases of the wound-healing process [21]. The second phase of the wound-healing process is inflammation, which normally overlaps with the first phase.…”

Multifunctional antibacterial hydrogels for chronic wound management

“…As alternatives, inorganic metal NPs, such as silver, copper, and gold NPs, are extensively utilised owing to their diverse antibacterial mechanisms. 59,60 Additionally, polychitosan, honey, and fullerenes have notable antibacterial properties and biocompatibility, which circumvent the misuse of antibiotics and mitigate the risk of bacterial resistance in chronic wounds.…”

Development and characterization of a topical gel, containing lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) oil loaded solid lipid nanoparticles

“…It has been demonstrated that the incorporation of SLNs into gels increases drug permeability in comparison to conventional gel formulations. This has been explained by the interaction of SLNs with the stratum corneum, which leads to a longer residence time in skin layers [ 33 , 34 ].…”