Advances of biomacromolecule-based antibacterial hydrogels and their performance evaluation for wound healing: A review

Int J Biol Macromol. 2024 Nov;279(Pt 4):135577. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.135577. Epub 2024 Sep 11.

Abstract

Biomacromolecule hydrogels possess excellent mechanical properties and biocompatibility, but their inability to combat bacteria restricts their application in the biomedical field. With the increasing requirements and demands for hydrogel dressings, wound dressings with antibacterial properties of biomacromolecule hydrogels reinforced by adding antibacterial agents have attracted much attention, and related reviews are emerging. In this paper, the advances of biomacromolecule antibacterial hydrogels (including chitosan, sodium alginate, Hyaluronic acid, cellulose and gelatin) were first overviewed, and the antibacterial agents incorporated into hydrogels were classified (including metals and their derivatives, carbon-based materials, and native compounds). A series of performance evaluations of antibacterial hydrogels in the process of promoting wound healing were then reviewed, including basic properties (mechanical, rheological, injectable and self-healing, etc.), in vitro experiments (hemostasis, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidation, biocompatibility) and in vivo experiments (in vivo model, histomorphology analysis, cytokines). Finally, the future development of biomacromolecule-based antibacterial hydrogels for wound healing is prospected. This work can provide a useful reference for researchers to prepare practical new wound hydrogel dressings.

Keywords: Antibacterial agent classification; Bioactive wound dressing; Biomacromolecule-based antibacterial hydrogel; Performance evaluation; Wound healing.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alginates / chemistry
  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents* / chemistry
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents* / pharmacology
  • Bandages
  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry
  • Biocompatible Materials / pharmacology
  • Chitosan / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Hyaluronic Acid / chemistry
  • Hyaluronic Acid / pharmacology
  • Hydrogels* / chemistry
  • Hydrogels* / pharmacology
  • Wound Healing* / drug effects

Substances

  • Hydrogels
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Chitosan
  • Alginates
  • Hyaluronic Acid