Smart and Herbal-Based Microneedle Patches for Wound Healing: Recent Advances and Future Perspectives

Wound healing is a complex process that typically progresses through several interlated stages including hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation and tissue remodelling. The healing of chronic wounds such as diabetic ulcers, burns and pressure ulcers is often impaired by infections, extended inflammation, inadequate vascularisation and limited wound contraction. Existing treatments for chronic wounds, such as topical creams/gels, dressings, and orally administered medications, have several inherent shortcomings. Microneedle patches are comprised of micro-sized needles that penetrate through the outermost layer of skin without causing any pain or damage skin. Drugs can be delivered directly into epidermis and dermis for higher bioavailability and faster wound healing. Microneedle devices, including patch-based devices, can deliver drugs in a controlled and sustained manner to maintain optimal drug concentration in the wound site and accelerate tissue regeneration. There is a growing interest in incorporating herbal bioactive compounds and smart delivery systems into microneedle for clinical applications. Phytochemicals such as Curcumin and Aloe-emodin they possess anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities, which help tissue healing and prevent oxidative stress during wound healing. Recent advances such as dissolving microneedles, hydrogel-based microneedles and nanotechnology-based platforms for drug and stem cells delivery have been explored to enhance drug loading, stability and penetration for wound healing. Future multifunctional microneedle patches will monitor wounds, deliver drugs and facilitate tissue repair and regeneration. In near future, wound healing patches will be constructed using a combination of nanotechnology, biodegradable biomaterials and herbal therapeutics to develop a new generation of personalized wound healing system.