Hyaluronic acid and chitosan-based nanosystems: a new dressing generation for wound care

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The main goal in the management of chronic wounds is the development of multifunctional dressings able to promote a rapid recovery of skin structure and function, improving patient compliance.

Areas covered: This review discusses the use of nanosystems, based on hyaluronic acid and chitosan or their derivatives for the local treatment of chronic wounds. The bioactive properties of both polysaccharides will be described, as well as the results obtained in the last decade by the in vitro and in vivo evaluation of the wound healing properties of nanosystems based on such polymers.

Expert opinion: In the last decades, there has been a progressive change in the local treatments of chronic wounds: traditional inert dressings have been replaced by more effective bioactive ones, based on biopolymers taking part in wound healing and able to release the loaded active agents in a controlled way. With the advance of nanotechnologies, the scenario has further changed: nanosystems, characterized by a large area-to-volume ratio, show an improved interaction with the biological substrates, amplifying the activity of the constituent biopolymers. In the coming years, a deeper insight into wound healing mechanisms and the development of new techniques for nanosystem manufacturing will results in the design of new scaffolds with improved performance.

KEYWORDS:

• Chitosan
• chronic wounds
• hyaluronic acid
• nanocomposites
• nanofibers
• nanoparticles
• wound dressings
• wound healing process

Article highlights

• Chronic wounds represent a disabling disease affecting millions of people worldwide.

• Traditional inert dressings have been replaced by multifunctional bioactive ones, which are based on biopolymers and incorporate therapeutic agents, such as antimicrobial compounds or growth factors.

• The synergistic effect between biopolymers and active ingredients is functional to achieve a rapid healing with optimal functional and aesthetic results.

• Hyaluronic acid and chitosan, both involved in the cascade of events leading to wound closure, are the most commonly used biopolymers for the production of nanosystems intended for wound healing applications.

• Nano-scale delivery systems based on hyaluronic acid and chitosan are promising therapeutic tools in the local treatment of chronic wounds, thanks to their capability to interact with biological substrates, related to their large area-to-volume ratio.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.