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Pharmaceutics
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Hydrogels-Based Drug Delivery System for Wound Healing
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Hydrogels-Based Drug Delivery System for Wound Healing

A special issue of Pharmaceutics (ISSN 1999-4923). This special issue belongs to the section "Drug Delivery and Controlled Release".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 January 2027 | Viewed by 3581

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Loredana Elena Niţă

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Guest Editor
“Petru Poni” Macromolecular Chemistry Institute, Grigore Ghica Voda Alley 41A, 700487 Iasi, Romania
Interests: polymers synthesis, including by nonconventional methods; chemical modifications; hydrogels; polymeric matrices for bioapplications; nanoparticles; nanotechnology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Alina Ghilan

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Guest Editor
Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Grigore Ghica Voda Alley 41-A, RO-700487 Iasi, Romania
Interests: hydrogels; drug delivery; nanomaterials; magnetic composites; polysaccharides

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Hydrogels, used as advanced platforms for drug delivery in wound healing, mark a notable innovation in the field of material science. These networks can be created from a diverse range of materials, such as natural polymers, synthetic polymers, polymerizable monomers, or combinations of natural and synthetic polymers, each material having a specific impact on the final characteristics, while physical, chemical, and hybrid bonds ensure the formation and stability of their structure. Hydrogels are remarkable for their ability to deliver therapeutic substances in a controlled and prolonged manner. Their excellent biocompatibility, flexibility, porous structure, and hydrated polymeric composition allow them to mimic the natural microenvironment of the skin, promoting cellular processes and healthy tissue formation. Furthermore, the ability of hydrogels to respond to external stimuli, as well as the development of injectable hydrogels with shear-thinning and self-healing properties offer promising solutions for controlled drug delivery and the development of less invasive therapeutic approaches, thus facilitating tissue repair directly at the targeted site.

This Special Issue, entitled “Hydrogels-based drug delivery system for wound healing”, aims to highlight the versatility of hydrogels in addressing complex biological challenges and also to contribute to the development of advanced solutions in wound healing.

Dr. Loredana Elena Niţă
Dr. Alina Ghilan
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • controlled drug release
  • polymer-based hydrogels
  • advanced wound dressings
  • smart hydrogels for tissue regeneration
  • bioactive hydrogels
  • 3D-printed hydrogels for personalized wound dressings

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 4311 KB  
Article
Nitric Oxide-Releasing S-Nitrosoglutathione-Conjugated TEMPO-Oxidized Nanocellulose Hydrogel for the Treatment of MRSA-Infected Wounds
by Dongmin Kwak, Chavi Dagar, Jihyun Kim, Juho Lee, Hyunwoo Kim, Muneeb Ullah, Md. Lukman Hakim, Minjeong Kim, Mst. Sanzida Yeasmin, Ng’wisho Nyalali and Jin-Wook Yoo
Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(12), 1623; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17121623 - 17 Dec 2025
Viewed by 767
Abstract
Background: Cutaneous wound infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) pose serious threats to public health. Nitric oxide (NO), an endogenous gaseous molecule with antibacterial and wound-healing properties, is a promising next-generation antimicrobial agent with a minimal risk of resistance. However, conventional [...] Read more.
Background: Cutaneous wound infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) pose serious threats to public health. Nitric oxide (NO), an endogenous gaseous molecule with antibacterial and wound-healing properties, is a promising next-generation antimicrobial agent with a minimal risk of resistance. However, conventional S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO)-loaded formulations suffer from GSNO leakage, which could compromise the treatment effect or induce systemic side effects. Although conjugation strategies have been introduced to mitigate this issue, there is still a lack of GSNO-conjugated systems that simultaneously achieve high NO loading and sustained NO release while avoiding harsh external stimuli and complex multistep synthetic processes. Objectives: This research aims to develop a high NO-loading system produced through a simple synthetic process that provides sustained NO release without harsh external stimuli while preventing GSNO leakage for effective treatment of MRSA-infected wounds. Methods: We developed cellulose-based GSNO conjugates via a simple EDC/NHS-mediated covalent coupling to TEMPO-oxidized nanocellulose (NC-GSNO). Results: The NC-GSNO hydrogel achieved high NO loading, minimal leakage, and sustained NO release for more than three days. This controlled NO delivery promoted enhanced wound healing in MRSA-infected models. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that the NC-GSNO hydrogel is a promising platform for controlled NO delivery and the effective treatment of MRSA-infected wounds. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydrogels-Based Drug Delivery System for Wound Healing)
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29 pages, 5091 KB  
Article
Multifunctional Bilayer Wound Dressing Composed of Immediate Release Layer of Ofloxacin and Sustained Release Layer of Bergamot Oil
by Mehar Un Nisa, Ikram Ullah Khan, Yousaf Kamal, Usra, Zunera Chaudhary, Ghulam Hussain, Muhammad Irfan, Syed Haroon Khalid, Sajid Asghar, Hafeez Ullah Khan, Safirah Maheen, Syed Adnan Ali Shah and Thierry F. Vandamme
Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(12), 1589; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17121589 - 10 Dec 2025
Viewed by 853
Abstract
Background: Wound healing is a typical biological process that the human body accomplishes through well-defined stages. The complexity of the healing process continues to be a significant health challenge. Multifunctional polymeric bilayer wound dressings have emerged as a new treatment option, as [...] Read more.
Background: Wound healing is a typical biological process that the human body accomplishes through well-defined stages. The complexity of the healing process continues to be a significant health challenge. Multifunctional polymeric bilayer wound dressings have emerged as a new treatment option, as they resemble the bilayer structure of skin. Methods: Here, we developed a bilayer film with two distinct features, i.e., a primary sodium alginate (Na-Alg)-based sustained release layer incorporated with bergamot essential oil (BEO) and a secondary immediate release layer of hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) and hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) loaded with the antibacterial drug ofloxacin (OFX). Using the double solvent casting technique. Results: The resultant bilayer films exhibited good folding endurance and swelling capability. The antibacterial potential was appraised by assessing their capability to hinder the growth of S. aureus (40 mm zone of inhibition) and E. coli (46 mm zone of inhibition). A DPPH assay confirmed the anti-oxidant ability of the incorporated essential oil. The outcomes of the X-ray diffraction and FTIR analysis support the even and complete dispersion of the oil and drug into the polymeric matrix without any unwanted interaction. The SEM results revealed a slightly microstructured surface view, while microporous structures were discovered in the cross-section due to the presence of the oil and drug. In the in vivo wound model, the developed bilayer films demonstrated a quicker rate of wound closure (98.5% in 12 days) and avoided wound infection. Histological studies verified that the created dressing enhanced the deposition of mature collagen and promoted epithelialization. Conclusions: As a result, the unique blend of anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties in bilayer films can significantly offer fresh perspectives for developing sophisticated, multipurpose wound dressings to hasten the healing of cutaneous wounds. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydrogels-Based Drug Delivery System for Wound Healing)
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22 pages, 7468 KB  
Article
Laponite®-Based Smart Hydrogels for Sustained Topical Delivery of Silver Sulfadiazine: A Strategy for the Treatment of Contaminated or Biofilm-Forming Wounds
by Jonas Lira do Nascimento, Michely Conceição Viana da Costa, Leticia Farias de Macêdo, Luiz Henrique Chaves de Macêdo, Ricardo Olímpio de Moura, Tomás Jeferson Alves de Mélo, Wilma Raianny Vieira da Rocha, Ana Cristina Figueiredo de Melo Costa, José Lamartine Soares-Sobrinho and Dayanne Tomaz Casimiro da Silva
Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(9), 1234; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17091234 - 22 Sep 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1402
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Silver sulfadiazine (AgSD) is widely used in the topical treatment of burns and infected wounds, but its conventional formulations present drawbacks such as poor water solubility, the need for multiple daily applications, and patient discomfort. To overcome these limitations, this study [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Silver sulfadiazine (AgSD) is widely used in the topical treatment of burns and infected wounds, but its conventional formulations present drawbacks such as poor water solubility, the need for multiple daily applications, and patient discomfort. To overcome these limitations, this study aimed to develop and evaluate Laponite® (LAP)-based hydrogels loaded with AgSD for controlled release and enhanced antimicrobial and antibiofilm efficacy, offering a promising alternative for the treatment of contaminated or biofilm-forming wounds. Methods: Laponite®-based hydrogels containing 1% and 1.2% AgSD (LAP@AgSD) were prepared using a one-pot method. The formulations were characterized rheologically, thermally, and structurally. In vitro drug release was assessed using Franz diffusion cells, and mathematical modeling was applied to determine release kinetics. Antibacterial and antibiofilm activities were evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa using standardized microbiological methods. Results: LAP@AgSD hydrogels exhibited pseudoplastic behavior, high structural integrity, and enhanced thermal stability. In vitro release assays revealed a sustained release profile, best fitted by the Weibull model, indicating diffusion-controlled mechanisms. Antibacterial assays demonstrated concentration-dependent activity, with LAP@AgSD 1.2% showing superior efficacy over LAP@AgSD 1% and comparable performance to the commercial silver sulfadiazine cream (CC-AgSD). Biofilm inhibition was significant for all formulations, with CC-AgSD 1% exhibiting the highest immediate activity, while LAP@AgSD 1.2% provided sustained antibiofilm potential. Conclusions: LAP-based hydrogels are promising smart delivery systems for AgSD, combining mechanical robustness, controlled drug release, and effective antibacterial and antibiofilm activities. These findings support their potential use in topical therapies for infected and chronic wounds, particularly where biofilm formation is a challenge. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydrogels-Based Drug Delivery System for Wound Healing)
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Review

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36 pages, 2746 KB  
Review
Cutting-Edge Smart Hydrogel Platforms for Improved Wound Healing
by Ameya Sharma, Vivek Puri, Divya Dheer, Malkiet Kaur, Kampanart Huanbutta and Tanikan Sangnim
Pharmaceutics 2026, 18(4), 406; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics18040406 (registering DOI) - 25 Mar 2026
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Wound management presents a substantial clinical challenge due to the rising incidence of chronic wounds, infections, and the limitations of conventional dressings in creating an ideal healing microenvironment. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of advanced smart hydrogel platforms designed [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Wound management presents a substantial clinical challenge due to the rising incidence of chronic wounds, infections, and the limitations of conventional dressings in creating an ideal healing microenvironment. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of advanced smart hydrogel platforms designed to improve wound healing outcomes, focusing on their capacity to respond adaptively to physiological and external stimuli. Methods: This article analyzes the core characteristics of smart hydrogels, specifically examining stimuli-responsive systems (pH, temperature, enzyme, light, and electricity). The review evaluates advanced configurations—including injectable, self-healing, and 3D-printable systems—and functionalized hydrogels integrated with antimicrobials, drugs, and nanocomposites. Additionally, essential characterization methodologies, biological assessments, and regulatory considerations for clinical translation are synthesized. Results: The literature, which is predominantly preclinical in nature, indicates that functionalized hydrogels significantly enhance tissue regeneration, angiogenesis, and infection control compared to traditional methods. Conductive hydrogels utilizing bioelectrical signals show particular promise in accelerating the healing process. While current clinical applications and commercial products demonstrate efficacy, significant barriers remain regarding large-scale manufacturing and regulatory approval. Conclusions: Smart hydrogels represent a transformative approach to precision wound management, offering superior adaptability and therapeutic delivery. To achieve widespread clinical adoption, future research must address manufacturing scalability and focus on emerging trends, such as the integration of biosensors and AI-powered monitoring systems, to create fully intelligent wound care solutions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydrogels-Based Drug Delivery System for Wound Healing)
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