Biomolecule-assisted synthesis of biomimetic nanocomposite hydrogel for hemostatic and wound healing applications

Hydrogels are water rich structures formed by crosslinking of hydrophilic monomers. The hydrophilic 3D network structures mimic the extracellular matrix of biological soft tissues, and thus find widespread application in biomedical field. However, lower mechanical strength and lack of structural stability limits their application. In recent years, nanocomposite hydrogel has emerged as a novel biomaterial and gained significant research interest in biomedical applications owing to the improved shear-thinning characteristics of the hydrogel. The incorporation of diverse nanomaterials as nanofillers into soft polymer matrixes enhances the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the hydrogels, resulting in formation of nanocomposite hydrogel with improved chemical and biological properties. Nevertheless, the traditional physical or chemical crosslinking process often raises concerns for toxicity, biocompatibility and environmental issues of nanocomposite hydrogel during preparation, application and subsequent disposal. Inspired by natural biological processes, researchers have increasingly investigated the biomolecule assisted bioinspired synthesis of nanocomposite hydrogels through incorporation of various nanomaterials within hydrogel matrixes to reduce the impact of conventional nanocomposite hydrogels. In this review, the traditional chemical and physical methods of nanocomposite hydrogel formulation and its environmental impact have been explored. The state-of-art biofabrication strategy of nanocomposite hydrogel formulation through bioinspired approach has been systematically reviewed and the recent progress of the biofabricated nanocomposite hydrogels in hemostatic and wound healing application has also been highlighted. A brief outlook on the future prospects of nanocomposite hydrogel is also discussed. This article gives an insight into the advancement of eco-friendly bionsipred strategies for the biofabrication of nanocomposite hydrogels for hemostatic and wound healing application.