Polysaccharide-Based Hydrogel Applications in Wound Healing

Polysaccharide-based hydrogels have emerged as versatile platforms for wound management, combining the intrinsic bioactivity of natural polymers with the three-dimensional architecture of hydrogel networks. Common constituents include chitosan, alginate, hyaluronic acid and plant-derived polysaccharides, each offering unique biochemical cues and physicochemical attributes. Through tailored crosslinking strategies—ranging from ionic interactions to covalent bonds—these materials achieve tunable mechanics, porosity and swelling behaviour, essential for maintaining a moist wound environment and facilitating gas exchange. Their capacity to sequester and gradually release therapeutic agents, such as growth factors or antimicrobial compounds, addresses infection control and inflammation modulation concurrently. Moreover, the hydrated matrix supports cell infiltration and proliferation, thereby accelerating re-epithelialisation and collagen deposition. Recent advances have focused on composite systems incorporating nanofillers or bioactive extracts to enhance antioxidant, haemostatic and pro-angiogenic properties, meeting the diverse requirements of acute and chronic wounds, including diabetic ulcers and surgical incisions. Collectively, polysaccharide-based hydrogels represent a promising class of biomaterials that bridge fundamental polymer science and clinical wound care, with the potential to deliver customised dressings, injectable gels and multifunctional scaffolds on a global scale.

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Polysaccharide-Based Hydrogel Applications in Wound Healing publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in polysaccharide-based hydrogel applications in wound healing across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Hydrogel: A three-dimensional, hydrophilic polymer network capable of absorbing substantial amounts of water while maintaining structural integrity.

Crosslinking: Chemical or physical process that links polymer chains, forming a network that determines mechanical strength and porosity.

Biocompatibility: The ability of a material to perform with an appropriate host response in a specific application without causing toxicity or adverse reaction.

Angiogenesis: The physiological process through which new blood vessels form from pre-existing vasculature, critical for supplying oxygen and nutrients to healing tissue.

Re-epithelialisation: The restoration of the epidermal layer over a wound surface, driven by keratinocyte migration and proliferation.

References

1. A Polysaccharide Isolated from the Herb Bletilla striata Combined with Methylcellulose to Form a Hydrogel via Self-Assembly as a Wound Dressing. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2022).
2. A Berberine-Loaded Bletilla striata Polysaccharide Hydrogel as a New Medical Dressing for Diabetic Wound Healing. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2023).
3. Preparation, Characterization, and Wound Healing Promotion of Hydrogels Containing Glucosyloxybenzyl 2-Isobutylmalates Extract from Bletilla striata (Thunb.) Reichb.f.. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2024).