Polymeric hydrogels in wound management: Recent progress and translational potential

Deep skin wounds are responsible for severe trauma and raise quite a concern in the healthcare sector. Compared to traditional dressings, polymeric hydrogels are considered effective in treating wounds and are considered functional wound healing material. Natural polymers, like chitosan, alginate, gelatin, dextran, cellulose, collagen, etc., possess excellent biodegradability, cellular compatibility, and bioactivity, making them effective in promoting tissue regeneration and cellular adhesion. However, they have certain limitations, including relatively poor mechanical properties, high chances of microbial contamination, and batch-to-batch variability. Whereas synthetic polymers such as polyethylene glycol (PEG), polylactic acid (PLA), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), etc. provide appreciable mechanical strength and controlled degradation rates. However, there remains concern regarding their biocompatibility and effective biological functionality. To maximize the benefit, natural and synthetic polymers can be combined to provide synergistic efficacy by associating the biological activity with improved physicochemical and mechanical properties. This review focuses on the types, characteristics, modifications, advantages, limitations, current research progress, and wound-healing properties of several natural and synthetic polymers, with a focus on their applications in advanced wound dressings. Finally, the review outlines the current perspective and future challenges of developing polymer-based hydrogels for wound healing.