Biopolymer-Based Hydrogels for Wound Healing: Advances in Cellulose, Chitosan, Alginate, and Hyaluronic Acid from Design to Clinical Translation

Abstract

Wound healing is a multifaceted biological process comprising the phases of hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling, all of which require supportive microenvironment for optimal tissue regeneration. Biopolymer-based hydrogels, derived from materials such as cellulose and its derivatives, chitosan, alginate, and hyaluronic acid, have emerged as promising wound dressing materials due to their excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, moisture-retention capacity, and potential to mimic the native extracellular matrix. The structural characteristics, wound healing functions, and underlying mechanisms of these biopolymers are critically examined and summarized in tabular form. The review further highlights the incorporation of natural and synthetic therapeutic agents, growth factors, stem-cell-derived products, and peptides into biopolymer matrices to enhance therapeutic efficacy. The examined research findings indicate significant increases in fluid intake, moisture retention, antibacterial activity, angiogenesis, collagen deposition, tissue regeneration, and wound healing rates. Translational difficulties, regulatory issues, clinical research, and new patent activity pertaining to advanced wound healing biomaterials are also covered in the review. Despite tremendous improvements, issues still exist in bulk manufacturing, long-term safety, reproducibility, mechanical stability, and clinical validation. Future innovations are anticipated to concentrate on smart, multipurpose, and customized hydrogel systems that can integrate drug delivery, biosensing, and regenerative capabilities while reacting dynamically to wound microenvironments. Overall, biopolymer-based hydrogels are a flexible, rapidly developing platform with significant promise to improve next-generation skin tissue engineering and change the treatment of both acute and chronic wounds.