Multifunctional diabetic-wound dressings
Several multifunctional hydrogels were developed for diabetic wound healing, addressing biofilm infection, oxidative stress, inflammation, excessive exudation, and angiogenesis. A PVA/chitosan hydrogel containing graphene oxideβcranberry nanohybrids was stretchable, self-healing, antioxidant, electroconductive, and antibiofilm, while a bilayer polysaccharide hydrogel containing quaternized chitosan and L-arginine-modified polyoxometalates bound to dynamic tissue surfaces, formed a protective barrier, and exhibited antibacterial activity (PMIDs 39651355, 39048233). In laboratory studies, GelMA containing gallic acid and DMOG-loaded ginseng-derived nanoparticles inhibited iNOS production in mouse immune cells and promoted fibroblast and endothelial-cell growth and migration and endothelial tube formation. In a type 1 diabetic rat wound model, it attenuated inflammation, promoted collagen-fiber and blood-vessel formation, and accelerated healing. A PGS/PLA hydrogel combined with hyperbaric oxygen improved wound closure, fibroblast density, vascular density, collagen deposition, oxidative-stress biomarkers, and tensile strength in diabetic rats (PMIDs 38914387, 40896868).
π International journal of nanomedicine βπ Carbohydrate polymers βπ International journal of biological macromolecules βπ Tissue & cell β
Exosome and growth-factor delivery
Hydrogels can provide sustained release of extracellular vesicles that otherwise undergo rapid clearance in vivo. A recombinant human collagen I/carboxymethyl chitosan hydrogel sustained release of exosomes derived from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells, while a lyophilizable hyaluronic-acid macroporous hydrogel encapsulated the same type of exosomes with antimicrobial peptide DP7 and promoted tissue regeneration while inhibiting scar formation in a mouse model of deep second-degree burn infection healing (PMIDs 38484819, 38581764). Quercetin-pretreated mesenchymal-stem-cell exosomes enhanced fibroblast proliferation and migration and improved diabetic wound healing in rats while altering gut microbiota and metabolic profiles, and fibrin hydrogel microspheres releasing VEGF and bFGF increased fibroblast proliferation, neovascularization, collagen deposition, and wound tensile strength in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats (PMIDs 39619055, 41478021).
π International journal of biological macromolecules βπ Biomaterials βπ International journal of nanomedicine βπ Tissue & cell β
Responsive and electroactive systems
Some wound platforms respond to environmental pH or external stimulation. An injectable PF-127 hydrogel loaded with eriodictyol provided sustained release, stopped bleeding, reduced local oxidative-stress damage and inflammatory-factor expression, promoted fibroblast migration, and inhibited excessive collagen deposition. A thermally stable chitosan scaffold captured exosomes from human umbilical-cord mesenchymal stem cells in acidic conditions and released them in neutral or alkaline environments (PMIDs 40157113, 40024417). Other dressings use photodynamic or electrical effects: ginger-derived carbon quantum dots in a PVA/chitosan film generated ROS under light irradiation and inactivated S. aureus, while an ultrasound-triggered piezoelectric film combined with a conductive chitosan-derived hydrogel to inhibit fibroblast proliferation and modulate collagen deposition, thereby reducing scar formation (PMIDs 40043980, 41116501).
π Biomaterials advances βπ International journal of biological macromolecules βπ International journal of biological macromolecules βπ Carbohydrate polymers β
Antimicrobial natural-product dressings
Copper nanoparticles produced and stabilized in a sodium lignosulfonateβstarch mixed hydrogel averaged 5β10 nm and were applied to induced burn wounds in Wistar rats. Deep-eutectic-solvent formulations improved the solubilization and aqueous dispersity of essential oils, and a clove-oil formulation promoted healing of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus-infected wounds in vivo (PMIDs 39098681, 39480745). A Janus polyvinyl alcohol/collagen membrane incorporated Orthosiphon aristatus extract and dimethyloxalylglycine; its dense outer layer acted as a physical shield, while its porous hydrophilic inner layer absorbed exudates and supported cells. In diabetic rats, the membrane accelerated wound closure and increased collagen deposition (PMID 42132851).
π International journal of biological macromolecules βπ Langmuir : the ACS journal of surfaces and colloids βπ Biomaterials science β