Emerging stimuli-responsive hydrogels for enhancing chronic wound healing

Abstract

Stimuli-responsive hydrogels have gained significant attention in wound care due to their ability to adapt to dynamic physiological conditions, making them promising candidates for facilitating chronic wound healing. These hydrogels can respond to both internal and external environmental stimuli such as temperature, pH, reactive oxygen species (ROS), glucose levels, MMP, mechanical forces, magnetism, and ultrasound, enabling precise, on-demand therapeutic interventions through controlled drug release. This responsiveness is governed by reversible changes in their polymer network structure caused by interactions with external stimuli. By creating an optimized environment for wound healing, stimuli-sensitive hydrogels can promote moisture retention, cellular migration, and mechanical flexibility while accelerating critical tissue repair processes like angiogenesis or collagen synthesis. Additionally, incorporating bioactive agents such as antimicrobial compounds, growth factors, and other therapeutically active substances like honey, has further expanded their functionality, though such modifications may be secondary to their inherent stimuli-responsive nature. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in stimuli-responsive hydrogels for chronic wound management, highlighting their ability to respond to environmental cues and addressing their potential to enhance healing through the controlled release of therapeutic agents, promotion of hemostasis, and tissue regeneration.