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Pharmaceutics
Special Issues
Prospects of Hydrogels in Wound Healing
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Prospects of Hydrogels in Wound Healing

A special issue of Pharmaceutics (ISSN 1999-4923). This special issue belongs to the section "Pharmaceutical Technology, Manufacturing and Devices".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 November 2024) | Viewed by 2372

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Roberta Censi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Pharmacy, Drug Delivery Division, University of Camerino, CHIP Research, Camerino, Italy
Interests: pharmaceutical technology; formulation; biomaterials; hydrogels; nanoparticles; polymorphism
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Cristina Casadidio

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Pharmacy, Drug Delivery Division, University of Camerino, CHIP Research Center, Via Madonna delle Carceri, 62032 Camerino, MC, Italy
Interests: biomaterials; polymer synthesis; hydrogels; nanoparticles; gene and drug delivery; therapeutics stability

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Healing chronic wounds is a painful and difficult long-term process, with risks and great burden for patients. Fortunately, modern wound dressing solutions create easier healing options with many more advantages compared to traditional dressings (better absorption, antibacterial properties, insulation, etc.). In recent years, there has been significant progress in the development of hydrogels as advanced wound dressings. By incorporating bioactive compounds, improving mechanical properties, and creating stimuli-responsive systems, hydrogels have the potential to revolutionize wound care by promoting faster healing, reducing infections, and enhancing patient comfort. In conclusion, we dedicate this Special Issue to all innovative studies of hydrogels as wound dressings in the pharmaceutic field.

Dr. Roberta Censi
Dr. Cristina Casadidio
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • biomaterial
  • hydrogels
  • wound healing
  • wound dressing
  • dermal drug delivery

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 4354 KiB  
Article
The Acid-Buffered Engineered Gel Promotes In Vitro Cutaneous Healing and Fights Resistant Bacteria in Wounds
by Fatima Abid, Emmeline Virgo, Tahlia Louise Kennewell, Riya Khetan, Hanif Haidari, Zlatko Kopecki, Yunmei Song and Sanjay Garg
Pharmaceutics 2024, 16(11), 1484; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics16111484 - 20 Nov 2024
Viewed by 364
Abstract
Background: Treatment of cutaneous wound infections is becoming a major clinical challenge due to the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance associated with existing wound treatments. Two prevalent pathogens in wound infections, Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. [...] Read more.
Background: Treatment of cutaneous wound infections is becoming a major clinical challenge due to the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance associated with existing wound treatments. Two prevalent pathogens in wound infections, Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), continue to present a serious challenge, underscoring the critical need for new therapeutic alternatives. Methods: Novel alginate acid-buffered gels (ABF-1, ABF-2, and ABF-3) were developed using a combination of organic acids in various concentrations and buffered at a pH of 4.5. The acid-buffering capacity of the gels was evaluated against sodium hydroxide solution and simulated wound fluid (SWF) at different wound pHs, mimicking infected and non-infected wound environments. The in vitro antibacterial activity was assessed against resistant bacterial strains (Gram-positive and Gram-negative) using a microdilution method and wound biofilm assay. The rheological properties and cell viability of the gels were evaluated and the gel showing positive cell viability was further investigated for healing ability using an in vitro wound scratch assay. Results: The gels showed promising in vitro antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis, S. aureus, and P. aeruginosa. Gels with higher acid concentrations (ABF-1 and ABF-2) were highly effective in reducing the bacterial load in chronic biofilms of S. aureus and P. aeruginosa, while the gel with a lower acid concentration (ABF-3) showed positive effects on the viability of skin cells (over 80% cells viable) and for promoting wound closure. All three gels demonstrated excellent acid-buffering capabilities. Conclusions: The acid-buffered gels demonstrate promising in vitro antibacterial effects, indicating their potential for enhancing wound healing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prospects of Hydrogels in Wound Healing)
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14 pages, 3108 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Platonia insignis Mart. (Bacuri Butter) and Biopolymers from the Puree of Allium cepa L. (Yellow Onion Bulb) for Wound Healing in Horses
by André M. Resende, Beatriz A. Miranda, Luiza B. Silva, Andressa B. Oliveira, Márcio B. Castro, Isabel L. Macêdo, Bruno S. L. Dallago, Hernane S. Barud, Marco A. Costa Borges, Clovis A. Ribeiro, Diogenes S. Dias and Rita C. Campebell
Pharmaceutics 2024, 16(11), 1457; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics16111457 - 15 Nov 2024
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Abstract
Background/Objectives: Skin injuries are common in the equine clinical practice, requiring effective treatment to support natural healing. Bacuri butter is gaining attention for its potential in wound healing and its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. Natural polymers such as onion (Allium cepa [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Skin injuries are common in the equine clinical practice, requiring effective treatment to support natural healing. Bacuri butter is gaining attention for its potential in wound healing and its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. Natural polymers such as onion (Allium cepa) bioplastics have been investigated for their potential as occlusive dressings and for tissue regeneration. Methods: This study evaluated the healing process of experimentally induced skin wounds on horses treated with bacuri butter, washed onion film, and unwashed onion film. Clinical and histopathological analyses of the wounds were conducted in six clinically healthy horses over 28 days, with a control group receiving Ringer’s lactate solution. The onion films were produced and characterized for their chemical structure and properties, while the bacuri butter was sourced and prepared for application. Results: All treatments, including the control group, promoted wound healing without relevant differences in wound contraction rates, gross aspect, or histopathological parameters. Conclusions: Therefore, despite minor variations observed in the clinical evaluations between the treatment groups, the bacuri butter or onion biopolymer showed no significant healing effect on skin wounds in horses. Additionally, this study showed the potential of equine models in testing novel therapeutic approaches for wound healing, benefiting both veterinary and human medicine. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prospects of Hydrogels in Wound Healing)
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22 pages, 4563 KiB  
Article
Physically Cross-Linked PVA Hydrogels as Potential Wound Dressings: How Freezing Conditions and Formulation Composition Define Cryogel Structure and Performance
by Anna Górska, Ewelina Baran, Justyna Knapik-Kowalczuk, Joanna Szafraniec-Szczęsny, Marian Paluch, Piotr Kulinowski and Aleksander Mendyk
Pharmaceutics 2024, 16(11), 1388; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics16111388 - 28 Oct 2024
Viewed by 744
Abstract
Objectives: Hydrogels produced using the freeze–thaw method have demonstrated significant potential for wound management applications. However, their production requires precise control over critical factors including freezing temperature and the choice of matrix-forming excipients, for which no consensus on the optimal conditions currently [...] Read more.
Objectives: Hydrogels produced using the freeze–thaw method have demonstrated significant potential for wound management applications. However, their production requires precise control over critical factors including freezing temperature and the choice of matrix-forming excipients, for which no consensus on the optimal conditions currently exists. This study aimed to address this gap by evaluating the effects of the above-mentioned variables on cryogel performance. Methods: Mechanical properties, absorption capacity, and microstructure were assessed alongside advanced analyses using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and low-field nuclear magnetic resonance relaxometry (LF TD NMR). Results: The results demonstrated that fully hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with a molecular weight above 61,000 g/mol is essential for producing high-performance cryogels. Among the tested formulations, an 8% (w/w) PVA56–98 solution (Mw~195,000; DH = 98.0–98.8%) with 10% (w/w) propylene glycol (PG) provided the best balance of stretchability, durability, and low adhesion. Notably, while −25 °C is often used for cryogel preparation, freezing the gel precursor at −80 °C yielded superior results, producing materials with more open, interconnected structures and enhanced mechanical strength and elasticity—deviating from conventional practices. Conclusions: The designed cryogel prototypes exhibited functional properties comparable to or even surpassing commercial wound dressings, except for absorption capacity, which remained lower. Despite this, the cryogel prototypes demonstrated potential as wound dressings, particularly for use in dry or minimally exuding wounds. All in all, this study provides a comprehensive analysis of the physicochemical and functional properties of PVA cryogels, establishing a strong foundation for the development of advanced wound dressing systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prospects of Hydrogels in Wound Healing)
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