Biopolymeric Materials in the Management of Diabetic Wound Healing: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

The compromised wound healing observed in diabetic patients poses significant hurdles, escalating the risk of infections. The growing interest in natural polymeric materials is fueled by their abundant availability, cost-effectiveness, and eco-friendly attributes. Advances in polymer science have expanded the applications, especially in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. These interdisciplinary fields integrate knowledge and technology from diverse domains to restore damaged tissues and organs in medical interventions. Polymers function as versatile tools, serving as carriers for drugs and cells and facilitating host-cell integration to meet the requisites of regeneration and repair. This intricate process involves multiple stages, necessitating the development of various components to construct the desired neo-tissue or organ. Diverse biopolymers, encompassing biological, synthetic, and hybrid varieties, find extensive utility across various medical applications. Their tunable physical, chemical, and biological properties render them ideal for tailoring to specific application requirements. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the wound-healing process, with a specific focus on the challenges presented by diabetic wounds. Additionally, it explores various biopolymers, including alginate, gelatin, cellulose, silk sericin, chondroitin sulfate, chitosan, xanthan gum, cyclodextrin, and hyaluronic acid, elucidating their roles in the management of diabetic wounds.