Search Results (1,898)

Background: Burns represent a public health problem because they generate both physical and psychological damage, especially in the child and adolescent population, and high costs, especially due to the management of scars. Advances in burn care have improved survival and quality of life for this population. New clinical trials have been conducted on the benefits of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT), showing that it improves the healing of burns and the appearance of scars. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the efficacy of NPWT both alone and as an adjunct to conventional dressings in pediatric and adolescent patients compared with conventional treatments. Methodology: A systematic search was carried out between December 2023 and the last quarter of 2025 in databases such as PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library. This meta-analysis was performed following the PRISMA statement (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) and was registered in PROSPERO with registration number CRD42024597293. The risk of bias 2 (RoB2) tool was used to assess the risk of bias in the studies. Quantitative meta-analyses using random-model effects were performed only for variables with sufficient comparable data among studies. For other outcomes, where meta-analysis was not feasible due to lack of comparable data or control groups, results were synthesized qualitatively. Results: A total of seven articles (three clinical trials and four retrospective studies), in which a total of 323 subjects participated, were included. The main results demonstrate the efficacy of NPWT, as it decreases the re-epithelialization time, improves the appearance of scars (MD = −1.25 (95% CI between −1.80 and −0.70)), reduces the probability of skin grafts (OR = 0.17 (95% CI between 0.06 and 0.46)), and therefore, as there is less need for surgery and fewer dressing changes, reduces costs. Conclusions: NPWT offers significant clinical benefits in the treatment of burns in children and adolescents. Although a meta-analysis could not be performed due to the lack of a control group in some studies, studies with larger samples and multicenter designs will be necessary to better assess the relevant clinical outcomes. However, the results of this study show that NPWT is effective in treating burns in children and adolescents and that its use in clinical practice may represent a promising adjunctive therapy. Full article

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global health concern, which complicates treatment of microbial infections and wounds. Conventional therapies are no longer effective against drug resistant microbes; hence, novel antimicrobial approaches are urgently required. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) offer stronger antimicrobial activity, and in situ synthesis improves stability, uniformity, cost efficiency, and bioactivity while minimising contamination. These features make AgNPs well-suited for incorporation into textiles and wound dressings. Red wine extract (RW-E), rich in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds was used to hydrothermally synthesise RW-AgNPs and RW-AgNPs-loaded on cotton (RWALC) by optimising pH and RW-E concentration. Characterisation was performed using UV–Vis spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and High Resolution and Scanning electron microscopy (HR-TEM and SEM). Antibacterial activities were evaluated against human pathogens through agar disc diffusion assay for RWALC and microdilution assay for RW-AgNPs. RWALC showed higher potency against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, with inhibition zones of 12.33 ± 1.15 to 23.5 ± 5.15 mm, that surpassed those of ciprofloxacin (10 ± 3 to 19.17 ± 1.39 mm at 10 μg/mL). RW-AgNPs exhibited low minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC: 0.195–3.125 μg/mL) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC: 0.78–6.25 μg/mL). Preincubation with β-mercaptoethanol (β-ME) inhibited the antibacterial activity of RWALC, suggesting that thiolated molecules are involved in AgNPs-mediated effects. This study demonstrated that green-synthesised RW-AgNPs, incorporated in situ into cotton, conferred strong antibacterial properties, warranting further investigation into their mechanisms of action. Full article

Silymarin—a standardized extract from the seeds of milk thistle (Silybum marianum L. Gaertn.)—is mainly used for the treatment of hepatitis and other liver diseases. In recent years, the attention of researchers has been directed to its use in dermatology and wound treatment. Despite the promising results, there are still many unresolved issues in this area. The aim of the present study is to develop and characterize hydrogel chitosan–pectin films containing silymarin as an active ingredient with potential medical application. Six variants of hydrogel films (control and silymarin-loaded) were obtained from chitosan and pectin solutions by the casting method and analyzed in terms of their physicochemical, structural, mechanical and optical properties, as well as the in vitro dissolution profile of silymarin. The highest tensile strength was measured for the chitosan-based films—23.35 ± 1.74 MPa (control) and 22.01 ± 2.67 MPa (silymarin-loaded), while the barrier properties to UV and visible light were the strongest for chitosan–pectin films with silymarin. The antioxidant potential of the films was determined by DPPH assay and it was found that the variants with silymarin have over 20 times higher antioxidant activity (from 2.020 ± 0.048 to 2.106 ± 0.190 mg TE/g) than the corresponding controls. The results showed that chitosan–pectin films with incorporated silymarin could find application as potential hydrogel dressings in the therapy of wounds and superficial burns. Full article

The development of functional biomaterials based on natural polymers has gained increasing relevance due to the growing demand for sustainable and bioactive alternatives for biomedical and technological applications. In this study, chitosan was obtained from shrimp exoskeletons and used to formulate active films enriched with Mexican propolis, aiming to evaluate the influence of the extract on the physicochemical and functional properties of the resulting biomaterial. Propolis was incorporated into the chitosan film-forming solution at a final concentration of 1.0% (v/v). The propolis employed met the requirements of the Mexican Official Standard NOM-003-SAG/GAN-2017 regarding flavonoid content, total phenolic compounds, and antimicrobial activity; additionally, it was evaluated through antioxidant activity, hemolysis, and acute toxicity (LD₅₀) assays to provide a broader biological and safety assessment. The extracted chitosan exhibited a degree of deacetylation of 74% and characteristic FTIR spectral features comparable to those of commercial chitosan, confirming the quality of the obtained polymer. Chitosan–propolis films exhibited antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans, whereas pure chitosan films showed no inhibitory effect. Thermal analyses (TGA/DSC) revealed a slight reduction in thermal stability due to the incorporation of thermolabile polyphenolic compounds, along with increased thermal complexity of the system. SEM observations demonstrated reduced microbial adhesion and marked morphological damage in microorganisms exposed to the functionalized films. Overall, the incorporation of Mexican propolis enabled the development of a hybrid biomaterial with enhanced antimicrobial performance and potential application in wound dressings and bioactive coatings. Full article

Bacterial infections remain a major challenge to human health, especially in wound healing, where they can cause prolonged inflammation, delayed recovery, and severe complications. Current research is increasingly focused on developing innovative antimicrobial materials capable of overcoming the limitations of conventional antibiotics, whose effectiveness has declined due to the rise in bacterial resistance. Among the various alternatives, silver nanoparticles have gained particular attention for their broad-spectrum antibacterial properties and have already been successfully applied in the functionalization of commercial wound dressings. The aim of this study was to optimize the functionalization of commercial cotton gauzes based on in situ UV-assisted reduction of silver nanoparticles, reducing methanol usage and identifying the minimal silver nitrate precursor concentration to achieve antimicrobial efficacy while maintaining biocompatibility. Different precursor concentrations were then evaluated through cytocompatibility assays (MTT, Live/Dead, and scratch tests on fibroblasts) and antimicrobial analyses against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus (including an antibiotic-resistant strain), and Candida albicans. The results demonstrated that a 0.5% w/w silver nitrate concentration provided strong antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity without compromising textile properties or cytocompatibility. Furthermore, this optimized process reduced material waste, highlighting its potential for scalable production of antimicrobial wound dressings. Full article

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a zoonotic disease caused by Leishmania parasites and leads to chronic, non-healing skin lesions. Although current drugs can control the disease, their use is limited by systemic side effects, low efficacy, and inadequate lesion penetration. Therefore, innovative local delivery systems are required to enhance drug penetration and reduce systemic toxicity. To address these challenges, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using propolis extract through a green synthesis approach, and a tri-layer wound dressing composed of polyvinyl alcohol and gelatin containing synthesized AgNPs and Glucantime was fabricated by electrospinning. Characterization (SEM-EDX, FTIR, TGA) confirmed uniform morphology, chemical structure, and thermal stability; the wound dressing exhibited hydrophilicity, antioxidant activity, and biphasic release. Biological evaluations against Leishmania tropica demonstrated significant antiparasitic activity. Promastigote viability decreased from 76.3% in neat fibers to 31.6% in nanofibers containing AgNPs and 7.9% in tri-layer nanofibers containing both AgNPs and Glucantime. Similarly, the amastigote infection index dropped from 410 in controls to 250 in neat nanofibers, 204 in AgNPs-containing nanofibers, and 22 in tri-layer nanofibers containing AgNPs and Glucantime. The tri-layer nanofibers demonstrated enhanced antileishmanial activity over AgNPs-containing fibers, confirming synergistic efficacy. All nanofibers were biocompatible, supporting their use as a safe platform for cutaneous leishmaniasis treatment. Full article

Wound dressing coverages (WDC) play a key role in protecting skin lesions and preventing infection. Polymeric membranes have been widely explored as WDC due to their ability to incorporate bioactive agents, including antimicrobial nanoparticles and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). In this study, polycaprolactone (PCL)-based membranes functionalized with titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂ NPs) and ibuprofen (IBP) were fabricated using a film manufacturing approach, and their structural and biocompatibility profiles were evaluated. The membranes were characterized by SEM, FTIR and XPS. Bands at 1725 cm⁻¹, 2950 cm⁻¹, 2955 cm⁻¹, 2865 cm⁻¹ and 510 cm⁻¹ proved molecular stability of reagents during manufacture. In SEM, the control shows the flattest surface, while the PCL-IBP and PCL-IBP-TiO₂ NPs groups had increased rugosity. In vitro biocompatibility was evaluated using human fetal osteoblasts (hFOB). On day 3, the cell adhesion response of hFOB seeded in PCL-IBP and PCL-IBP-TiO₂ NPs groups showed the biggest absorbances (p = 0.0014 and p = 0.0491, respectively). On day 7 PCL-IBP group had lower lectin binding than the control (p = 0.007) and the PCL-IBP-TiO₂ NPs (p = 0.015) membranes, but no evidence of cytotoxicity was observed in any group. Furthermore, the Live/Dead test adds more biocompatibility evidence to conveniently discriminate between live and dead cells. The PCL polymeric membrane elaborated in this study may confer antiseptic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, making these membranes ideal for skin lesions. Full article

Integrating antibacterial fabrics into wearable technology represents a transformative advancement in healthcare, fashion, and personal hygiene. Antibacterial fabrics, designed to inhibit microbial growth, are gaining prominence due to their potential to reduce infections, enhance durability, and maintain cleanliness in wearable devices. These fabrics offer effective antimicrobial properties while retaining comfort and functionality by incorporating nanotechnology and advanced materials, such as silver nanoparticles, zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, and graphene. The production techniques for antibacterial textiles range from chemical and physical surface modifications to biological treatments, each tailored to achieve long-lasting antibacterial performance while preserving fabric comfort and breathability. Advanced methods such as nanoparticle embedding, sol–gel coating, electrospinning, and green synthesis approaches have shown significant promise in enhancing antibacterial efficacy and material compatibility. Wearable technology, including fitness trackers, smart clothing, and medical monitoring devices, relies on prolonged skin contact, making the prevention of bacterial colonization essential for user safety and product longevity. Antibacterial fabrics address these concerns by reducing odor, preventing skin irritation, and minimizing the risk of infection, especially in medical applications such as wound dressings and patient monitoring systems. Despite their potential, integrating antibacterial fabrics into wearable technology presents several challenges. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the key antibacterial agents, the production strategies used to fabricate antibacterial textiles, and their emerging applications in wearable technologies. It also highlights the need for interdisciplinary research to overcome current limitations and promote the development of sustainable, safe, and functional antibacterial fabrics for next-generation wearable. Full article

Background/Objectives: Wound healing represents a pervasive and urgent clinical challenge. Hard-to-heal chronic wounds are frequently complicated by infections, inflammatory responses, and oxidative stress. Currently, wound dressings are broadly categorized into dry and moist types, with moist wound dressings for chronic wounds accounting for approximately 70% of market revenue. Recently, adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs), which possess self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation capabilities, have emerged as a promising strategy for promoting tissue regeneration and wound repair. Methods: In this study, we developed a novel luteolin nanoparticle–ADSCs composite hydrogel (GelCA@LUT@ADSCs). This system was constructed by first encapsulating ADSCs within a chitosan/alginate hydrogel (GelCA), followed by coating the hydrogel with luteolin-loaded nanoparticles (LUT@NPs). Results: The sustained release of LUT@NPs from the hydrogel modulates the wound microenvironment, enhancing the pro-healing functions of ADSCs at the wound site. The GelCA hydrogel exhibited excellent biocompatibility. Both in vitro and in vivo results demonstrated that GelCA@LUT@ADSCs treatment effectively reduced inflammation, promoted angiogenesis and collagen deposition, stimulated cell proliferation and migration, and polarized macrophages toward an anti-inflammatory, pro-healing M₂ phenotype, thereby accelerating wound healing. Conclusions: Overall, this innovative therapeutic approach provides a novel strategy for wound management through a synergistic division of labor between pharmaceutical agents and stem cells. Full article

Protein-based materials such as human serum albumin (HSA) have demonstrated significant potential for the development of novel wound management materials. For the first time, the formation of HSA-based hydrogels was proposed using a combination of thermal- and ethanol-induced approaches. The combination of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and limited (up to 20% v/v) ethanol content offers a promising strategy for fabricating human serum albumin-based hydrogels with tunable properties. The hydrogel formation was studied using in situ dynamic light scattering (DLS) for qualitative and semi-quantitative analysis of the patterns of protein hydrogel formation through thermally induced gelation. The rheological properties of human serum albumin-based hydrogels were investigated. Hydrogels synthesized via thermally induced gelation using a denaturing agent exhibit a dynamic viscosity ranging from 100 to 10,000 mPa·s. The biocompatibility, biodegradability, and structural stability of human serum albumin-based hydrogels were comprehensively evaluated in physiologically relevant media. These human serum albumin-based hydrogels represent a promising platform for developing topical therapeutic agents for wound management and tissue engineering applications. This study investigated the kinetics of tetracycline release from human serum albumin-based hydrogels in PBS and fetal bovine serum (FBS). All tested formulations of HSA-based hydrogels loaded with tetracycline (1 mg/mL) demonstrated antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, and Corynebacterium striatum strains. Full article

In this work, sodium alginate/chitosan (SA/CS) blend films were prepared by thermo-compression for the first time. Glycerol and lactic acid were used as de-structuring agents for SA and CS, respectively. The chemical structures, thermal stability, phase morphology, mechanical properties, water resistance, film opacity, film color, and soil burial test of thermo-compressed SA/CS films were investigated. The results indicate that intermolecular interactions in polyelectrolyte complexes in SA/CS blends were detected. Blending with CS improved the thermal stability of SA-based films. The SA/CS films showed excellent phase compatibility between SA and CS. The addition of CS improved the tensile properties of the SA-based films. The incorporation of CS in SA films resulted in enhanced water resistance and opacity and a decrease in biodegradability under soil burial. Thermo-compressed SA/CS films show promise for development and increased production capacity. These films can be tailored by varying the SA/CS ratios to display different properties. This versatility makes them suitable for a range of sustainable and diverse applications, including wound dressing, drug delivery, biosorbents, and packaging. Full article

Microbial polysaccharides are promising components for wound-care products. This study reports the development of wound-healing antimicrobial hydrogels, based on pullulan from Aureobasidium pullulans, combined with mesenchymal cell-derived conditioned medium. Structural characterization of pullulan was confirmed by FTIR and NMR. Twenty-three formulations containing pullulan, chitosan, gelatin, citric acid, and antimicrobial agents were prepared. Physicochemical screening identified optimal hydrogels: No. 22 (1.2% pullulan, 1.2% chitosan, 0.2% citric acid, 2.4% gelatin, 0.1% conditioned medium, 0.4% glutaraldehyde) and No. 23 (2.4% pullulan, no chitosan, the remaining components identical to those in No. 22). Both exhibited pH values of 5.34 and 5.49, moisture content of 92%, swelling capacities of 175% and 213%, and dynamic viscosity between 58–120 mPa·s. Cytotoxicity testing with human mesenchymal stem cells showed no significant toxicity, with both hydrogels supporting cell adhesion and proliferation. Antimicrobial assays demonstrated inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli for both formulations; only hydrogel No. 23 inhibited Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In vitro scratch assays revealed that hydrogel No. 23 significantly promoted fibroblast migration, achieving 30.25% scratch closure after 24 h. The developed formulations combine favorable physicochemical properties with antimicrobial efficacy and regenerative potential, supporting further evaluation as advanced wound-healing and anti-burn dressings. Full article

The synthesis of sodium carboxymethylcellulose (NaCMC) from lignocellulosic pineapple stubble provides a renewable alternative to conventional cellulose sources for pharmaceutical applications. This study aimed to obtain NaCMC from pineapple biomass, characterize it according to pharmacopoeial specifications, and formulate hydrogels as a physicochemical proof-of-concept for future drug delivery and tissue regeneration applications. NaCMC was successfully synthesized and met the requirements of the Mexican Pharmacopoeia. Hydrogels were prepared by blending NaCMC with gelatin and crosslinking with citric acid. Spectroscopic, morphological, and thermal analyses confirmed the structural equivalence between pineapple-derived NaCMC (NaCMC-Pi) and commercial NaCMC (NaCMC-Co). Swelling and gel fraction studies showed that NaCMC-Pi hydrogels exhibited a higher gel fraction, indicating a more crosslinked network, which corresponded to lower swelling capacity but higher thermal stability compared to NaCMC-Co hydrogels. Overall, these results demonstrate that pineapple stubble is a viable source of pharmaceutical-grade NaCMC and that the resulting hydrogels provide a robust physicochemical basis for future biomedical validation. The use of agro-industrial residues additionally offers a complementary sustainability benefit without compromising pharmaceutical performance. Full article

Polysaccharide-based wound dressings face challenges in mechanical properties and effective wound repair for infected wound surfaces. This study presents a novel polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/Salecan (Sal) composite hydrogel dressing with high toughness, biocompatibility, and wound healing capabilities, developed using an interpenetrating polymer network strategy. The primary network was formed through electrostatic interactions between polydopamine (PDA) and biocompatible polysaccharide Salecan, followed by incorporation of AgNO₃, which was in situ reduced to silver nanoparticles within the hydrogel. PVA was introduced as a secondary matrix, further reinforcing the hydrogel network through cyclic freeze–thawing. The resulting hydrogel exhibited a tensile strength of 0.31 MPa, an elongation at break of 158.9%, and a toughness of 31.16 J·m⁻², demonstrating enhanced mechanical performance compared to both Salecan/PDA and previously reported Salecan/Fe³⁺ hydrogel. Co-culture experiments showed the hydrogel’s strong antibacterial effects, inhibiting 80.1% of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and 99.5% of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Fibroblast culture tests confirmed its excellent cytocompatibility. In vivo studies on infected wounds showed nearly complete healing in the S. aureus + hydrogel group within 12 days. Quantitative immunohistochemical analysis of CD31 revealed that hydrogel treatment significantly upregulated CD31 expression, indicating enhanced neovascularization. Complementary Western blot analysis further demonstrated that hydrogel-treated groups exhibited a marked downregulation of pro-inflammatory factors alongside CD31 upregulation. In summary, the PVA/Sal-based hydrogel represents a valuable strategy for reducing inflammation and promoting regeneration in the management of infected wounds. Full article

The development of functionality in wound dressings has progressed since the discovery by Winter that moist wounds heal more rapidly. Approaches to incorporate functionality on several fronts of wound healing have been targeted. Here, we consider three functional features that have received increased attention for their role in promoting healing in hard-to-heal wounds: control of protease levels, hydrogen peroxide generation, and antibacterial efficacy against multidrug resistance bacteria, the ESKAPE (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter species) pathogens. We review some clinically employed dressings used to treat chronic and burn wounds that have been characterized by their functional protease-modulating activity and contrast one well-studied analog with a cotton-based technology. Similarly, hydrogen peroxide generation profiles were obtained for dressings in different moist wound healing categories and contrasted with a modified form of a known hemostatic cotton-based technology. We examined ascorbic acid-modified forms of a cotton-based technology used for bleeding control in an ESKAPE antibacterial assessment using the AATCC 100 TM. The results for the cotton-based technology were significant protease uptake, hydrogen peroxide generation capacities at proliferative and antimicrobial levels, and >99.99% efficacy against ESKAPE pathogens. These results reflect the importance of considering new forms of cotton fiber technology for incorporation in advanced wound dressing approaches. Full article