INNOVATIVE HYDROGEL COMPOSITIONS FOR THE TREATMENT OF BURN WOUNDS WITH ANTI-INFLAMMATORY PROPERTIES: A LITERATURE REVIEW
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32689/2663-0672-2025-1-8Keywords:
burn wounds, hydrogels, nanoparticles, antimicrobial agents, regeneration, polymeric materials, active pharmaceutical ingredients (API)Abstract
Burn injuries of the skin are a serious medical and social problem that requires effective treatment that can simultaneously control the inflammatory process, inhibit microbial contamination and stimulate tissue regeneration. The purpose of this study is to analyse the market for modern innovative hydrogel formulations used to treat burn wounds, with a focus on their anti-inflammatory properties, mechanisms of action, efficacy and potential limitations in clinical practice. Particular emphasis is placed on the possibility of introducing innovative hydrogel wound dressings with pronounced antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties. Materials and methods. This study is based on an analysis of scientific publications contained in the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases from 2020 to 2025. The following keywords and their combinations were used to select the literature: «burn wounds», «hydrogels», «nanoparticles», «antimicrobial agents», «polymeric materials». The analysis involved scientific papers covering the effectiveness of hydrogel compositions in the treatment of burn injuries, including the results of laboratory experiments (in vitro), preclinical tests on laboratory animals (in vivo) and clinical trials (phases I-III). The article analyses publications that reveal the properties of hydrogel materials with a pronounced antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and regenerative effect, as well as those that study the mechanisms of interaction of metal nanoparticles (Ag, Zn, Ti, Cu) with polymeric structures in the composition of dressings. Particular attention is paid to studies comparing the effectiveness of hydrogel compositions and traditional methods of treating burn wounds (antibacterial ointments, silicone dressings and collagen coatings). The results were evaluated using histological, microbiological and molecular biological methods of analysis. Results. Hydrogel compositions demonstrate high efficiency in the treatment of burn wounds due to their ability to maintain a moist environment, reduce cytokine levels and inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria. The integration of silver (Ag), zinc (Zn) and titanium (Ti) nanoparticles provides a pronounced antimicrobial effect, while polymeric nanoparticles improve the bioavailability of active ingredients and their prolonged release. The additional introduction of growth factors, polyphenols and analgesic substances promotes faster tissue regeneration and pain relief. Conclusions. The development of hydrogel wound dressings with combined antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties is a promising area in modern medicine. Further research should be aimed at optimising the composition, biocompatibility and stability of the developed experimental hydrogel compositions for their further widespread implementation in clinical practice.
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