NANO-ENABLED PHYTOACTIVE HYDROGELS AND TRANSFERSOMAL PLATFORMS FOR ADVANCED WOUND THERAPY

Abstract

Chronic wounds are associated with considerable clinical burden because of the impaired healing processes, which are generally complicated by the presence of persistent inflammation, oxidative stress, microbiologically induced biofilm, and the impairment of angiogenic processes. The standard treatment strategies like dry dressing and topical antiseptics are often inadequate in overcoming the multifactorial barriers associated with such processes. Hence, new treatment methods are required. Hydrogels and transferosomes are innovative delivery systems explored recently in the healing processes as well as skin regeneration. Hydrogels, which are generally created using natural, synthetic, or mixed polymers, support the development of a moist biological environment that ensures the augmentation of cell migration, angiogenic processes, or the deposition of the extracellular matrix. Moreover, the bioactive factors can be delivered using the controlled release feature. Smart gels further increase the healing potential by responding functionally according to specific biological changes associated with the wound sites like pH values, reactive oxygen species, temperature, or enzymatic activities. Transferosomes, which are highly deformable lipid vesicles, support the deep delivery associated with hydrophilic as well as lipophilic drugs. Incorporation of phytoactives like curcumin, Asiaticoside, Epigallocatechin gallate, Quercetin, or Resveratrol has been found effective in the management associated with the deeper interference at the site on the processes mediated by oxidative stress, biofilm formation, or tissue remodeling.