Smart Hydrogel Dressings For Advanced Wound Healing: From Biomaterial Design To Microenvironment Modulation

This review discusses the potential of "smart" hydrogel dressings in enhancing wound healing for complex wounds like severe burns and chronic diabetic ulcers. These hydrogels mimic the extracellular matrix and can be engineered for multifunctionality, including drug delivery, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities, and immunomodulation. They target key wound healing processes such as macrophage polarization and angiogenesis to promote tissue regeneration. The review also addresses challenges in clinical application, such as manufacturing and regulatory hurdles, and suggests future directions like theranostic platforms and personalized wound care based on individual patient profiles.