Innovative applications of multidimensional engineered hydrogels in wound healing

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Background The skin, as the largest organ of the human body, functions as a critical protective barrier against external threats such as pathogens, mechanical damage, and temperature extremes while regulating physiological homeostasis. However, acute and chronic wounds-ranging from surgical injuries to diabetic ulcers-pose significant global health and economic challenges due to their complex, often dysregulated healing processes involving intertwined cellular, molecular, and microenvironmental factors. Conventional dressings (gauze, films) face limitations in moisture regulation, mechanical compatibility, and bioactive modulation. Engineered hydrogels, with high water content, ECM-mimetic structures, and tunable properties, offer transformative solutions. While existing reviews focus on materials (natural/synthetic polymers) and fabrication (crosslinking, 3D printing), systematic analysis of innovative therapeutic applications remains underexplored. Aim of review This review systematically summarizes innovative hydrogel strategies spanning three key dimensions: functional (growth factor controlled release, cell/exosome delivery, coordinated regulation of inflammation and oxidative stress, angiogenesis promotion, and antibacterial defense), structural (multilayered biomimetic architectures and dynamic network designs), and technological (bioprinting and microfluidic techniques)

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

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