Natural Polymer–Based Hydrogel Dressings for Wound Healing

Significance: Acute wounds such as severe burns and chronic wounds like diabetic ulcers present a significant threat to human health. Wound dressings made from natural polymers offer inherent properties that effectively enhance wound healing outcomes and reduce healing time. Recent Advances: Numerous innovative hydrogels are being developed and translated to the clinic to successfully treat various wound types. This underscores the substantial potential of hydrogels in the future wound care market. Economically, annual sales of wound care products are projected to reach $15-22 billion by 2024. Critical Issues: While chitosan-, cellulose-, and collagen-based hydrogel dressings are currently commercially available, scaling up and manufacturing hydrogels for commercial products remains a challenging process. Additionally, ensuring the sterility and stability of the chemical or biological components comprising the hydrogel are critical considerations. Future Directions: In light of the persistent increase in wound fatalities and the resulting economic and social impacts, as well as the importance of educating the public about dietary health and disease, there should be increased investment in new wound care dressings, particularly hydrogels derived from natural products. With numerous researchers dedicated to advancing preclinical hydrogels, the future holds promise for more innovative and more personalized hydrogel wound dressings.