Biopolymeric advances: The evolving role of alginates as wound dressing carrier

Abstract

Chronic wounds are a significant concern to the health of society, with associated additional costs. Wound healing in normal patients is characterized by distinct stages, including inflammation, proliferation of dermal keratinocytes and fibroblasts, and remodeling of the extracellular matrix. Bacterial biofilm and chronic inflammation in the wound slow the wound healing and cause prolonged exudate formation. Very few alginates are beneficial in wound healing, as alginate dressings applied to wounds can reduce bacterial infection of the wound bed, maintain the wound environment physiologically moist, and absorb abnormal fluid from the wound. The efficiency of wound dressings, such as the polymers utilized in the alginate blend, crosslinking agents utilized, crosslinking duration, and excipients utilized, are among the factors. This article introduces the uses of alginates in contemporary wound-dressing, with hydrogels, nanofiber networks, 3D scaffolds, or sponges, which are all topically applicable for healing wounds.