Developing natural polymers for skin wound healing

• Published in: Bioactive materials Vol. 33; pp. 355 - 376
• Main Authors: Zhang, Han, Lin, Xiang, Cao, Xinyue, Wang, Yu, Wang, Jinglin, Zhao, Yuanjin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: China Elsevier B.V 01-03-2024; KeAi Communications Co., Ltd
• Subjects: Biomaterials; Biomedical engineering; Natural polymers; Tissue engineering; Wound healing; Wound healing; Tissue engineering; Natural polymers; Biomaterials; Biomedical engineering
• ISSN: 2452-199X; 2452-199X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2023.11.012

Natural polymers are complex organic molecules that occur in the natural environment and have not been subjected to artificial synthesis. They are frequently encountered in various creatures, including mammals, plants, and microbes. The aforementioned polymers are commonly derived from renewable sources, possess a notable level of compatibility with living organisms, and have a limited adverse effect on the environment. As a result, they hold considerable significance in the development of sustainable and environmentally friendly goods. In recent times, there has been notable advancement in the investigation of the potential uses of natural polymers in the field of biomedicine, specifically in relation to natural biomaterials that exhibit antibacterial and antioxidant characteristics. This review provides a comprehensive overview of prevalent natural polymers utilized in the biomedical domain throughout the preceding two decades. In this paper, we present a comprehensive examination of the components and typical methods for the preparation of biomaterials based on natural polymers. Furthermore, we summarize the application of natural polymer materials in each stage of skin wound repair. Finally, we present key findings and insights into the limitations of current natural polymers and elucidate the prospects for their future development in this field.
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•Natural ploymers possesses excellent renewability, biodegradability and biocompatibility.•The components and generation methods of natural polymers are diverse.•Functional natural polymers play a role in skin wound healing.•The challenges and future development faced by natural polymers are analyzed.