Nanoparticle-Based Approaches for Wound Healing
Kajal Bhardwaj, Vinay Kant, Dhaval J Kamothi, Pooja Kumari, Babu Lal Jangir, Munish Ahuja
Wound healing is a biological process involving sequential biochemical events that restore organ cellular integrity. The wound-care product market has surpassed fifteen billion US dollars. Conventional and newer treatments like topical antiseptics, antimicrobials, hydrogels, foam, alginates, and hydro-fibers exist, yet carry disadvantages. Many compounds including phytochemicals hold promise for wound healing, yet factors like light sensitivity, low solubility, poor bioavailability, and less skin permeability limit their clinical use. Recently, nanotechnology conquered some of these obstacles and enhanced stability, delivery, and effectiveness. This chapter explores overview of wound healing and available conventional therapies, along with nanoparticle-based approaches to treat wounds.
Keywords
Skin, Wound Healing, Conventional Treatments, Nanoparticles, Nano-Based Systems
Published online 1/5/2026, 19 pages
Citation: Kajal Bhardwaj, Vinay Kant, Dhaval J Kamothi, Pooja Kumari, Babu Lal Jangir, Munish Ahuja, Nanoparticle-Based Approaches for Wound Healing, Materials Research Foundations, Vol. 185, pp 73-91, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21741/9781644903858-4
Part of the book on Nanomaterials in Biological Systems
References
[1] K. Vig, A. Chaudhari, S. Tripathi, S. Dixit, R. Sahu, S. Pillai, V.A. Dennis, S.R. Singh, Advances in skin regeneration using tissue engineering, Int. J. Mol. Sci. 18 (2017). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms18040789
[2] R. Wong, S. Geyer, W. Weninger, J.C. Guimberteau, J.K. Wong, The dynamic anatomy and patterning of skin, Exp. Dermatol. 25 (2016) 92–98. https://doi.org/10.1111/exd.12832
[3] A. Nourian Dehkordi, F. Mirahmadi Babaheydari, M. Chehelgerdi, S. Raeisi Dehkordi, Skin tissue engineering: Wound healing based on stem-cell-based therapeutic strategies, Stem Cell Res. Ther. 10 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13287-019-1212-2
[4] S. Saghazadeh, C. Rinoldi, M. Schot, S.S. Kashaf, F. Sharifi, E. Jalilian, K. Nuutila, G. Giatsidis, P. Mostafalu, H. Derakhshandeh, K. Yue, W. Swieszkowski, A. Memic, A. Tamayol, A. Khademhosseini, Drug delivery systems and materials for wound healing applications, Adv. Drug Deliv. Rev. 127 (2018) 138–166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addr.2018.04.008
[5] I. Negut, G. Dorcioman, V. Grumezescu, Scaffolds for wound healing applications, Polymers (Basel). 12 (2020) 1–19. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12092010
[6] E. Rezvani Ghomi, S. Khalili, S. Nouri Khorasani, R. Esmaeely Neisiany, S. Ramakrishna, Wound dressings: Current advances and future directions, J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 136 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1002/app.47738
[7] A. Moeini, P. Pedram, P. Makvandi, M. Malinconico, G. Gomez d’Ayala, Wound healing and antimicrobial effect of active secondary metabolites in chitosan-based wound dressings: A review, Carbohydr. Polym. 233 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2020.115839
[8] M. Rodrigues, N. Kosaric, C.A. Bonham, G.C. Gurtner, Wound Healing: A Cellular Perspective, Physiol Rev. 99 (2019) 665–706. https://doi.org/10.1152/physrev.00067.2017.-Wound
[9] K. Las Heras, M. Igartua, E. Santos-Vizcaino, R.M. Hernandez, Chronic wounds: Current status, available strategies and emerging therapeutic solutions, J. Control. Release. 328 (2020) 532–550. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jconrel.2020.09.039
[10] S. Muzammil, J. Neves Cruz, R. Mumtaz, I. Rasul, S. Hayat, M.A. Khan, A.M. Khan, M.U. Ijaz, R.R. Lima, M. Zubair, Effects of Drying Temperature and Solvents on In Vitro Diabetic Wound Healing Potential of Moringa oleifera Leaf Extracts, Molecules. 28 (2023). https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28020710
[11] M.J. Malone-Povolny, S.E. Maloney, M.H. Schoenfisch, Nitric Oxide Therapy for Diabetic Wound Healing, Adv. Healthc. Mater. 8 (2019) 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1002/adhm.201801210
[12] D.S. Masson-Meyers, T.A.M. Andrade, G.F. Caetano, F.R. Guimaraes, M.N. Leite, S.N. Leite, M.A.C. Frade, Experimental models and methods for cutaneous wound healing assessment, Int. J. Exp. Pathol. 101 (2020) 21–37. https://doi.org/10.1111/iep.12346
[13] Y. Yao, A. Zhang, C. Yuan, X. Chen, Y. Liu, Recent trends on burn wound care: Hydrogel dressings and scaffolds, Biomater. Sci. 9 (2021) 4523–4540. https://doi.org/10.1039/d1bm00411e
[14] L.G. Wasef, H.M. Shaheen, Y.S. El-Sayed, T.I.A. Shalaby, D.H. Samak, M.E. Abd El-Hack, A. Al-Owaimer, I.M. Saadeldin, A. El-mleeh, H. Ba-Awadh, A.A. Swelum, Effects of Silver Nanoparticles on Burn Wound Healing in a Mouse Model, Biol. Trace Elem. Res. 193 (2020) 456–465. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-019-01729-z
[15] C.K. Sen, Human Wounds and Its Burden: An Updated Compendium of Estimates, Adv. Wound Care. 8 (2019) 39–48. https://doi.org/10.1089/wound.2019.0946
[16] V.K. Shukla, M.A. Ansari, S.K. Gupta, Wound healing research: A perspective from India, Int. J. Low. Extrem. Wounds. 4 (2005) 7–8. https://doi.org/10.1177/1534734604273660
[17] M.H. Sarfraz, M. Zubair, B. Aslam, A. Ashraf, M.H. Siddique, S. Hayat, J.N. Cruz, S. Muzammil, M. Khurshid, M.F. Sarfraz, A. Hashem, T.M. Dawoud, G.D. Avila-Quezada, E.F. Abd_Allah, Comparative analysis of phyto-fabricated chitosan, copper oxide, and chitosan-based CuO nanoparticles: antibacterial potential against Acinetobacter baumannii isolates and anticancer activity against HepG2 cell lines, Front. Microbiol. 14 (2023). https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1188743
[18] N.K. Rajendran, S.S.D. Kumar, N.N. Houreld, H. Abrahamse, A review on nanoparticle based treatment for wound healing, J. Drug Deliv. Sci. Technol. 44 (2018) 421–430. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jddst.2018.01.009
[19] M.M. Mihai, M.B. Dima, B. Dima, A.M. Holban, Nanomaterials for wound healing and infection control, Materials (Basel). 12 (2019). https://doi.org/10.3390/ma12132176
[20] J.N. Cruz, S. Muzammil, A. Ashraf, M.U. Ijaz, M.H. Siddique, R. Abbas, M. Sadia, Saba, S. Hayat, R.R. Lima, A review on mycogenic metallic nanoparticles and their potential role as antioxidant, antibiofilm and quorum quenching agents, Heliyon. 10 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29500
[21] M.A. Shalaby, M.M. Anwar, H. Saeed, Nanomaterials for application in wound Healing: current state-of-the-art and future perspectives, J. Polym. Res. 29 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10965-021-02870-x
[22] A.J. Rosenbaum, S. Banerjee, K.M. Rezak, R.L. Uhl, Advances in wound management, J. Am. Acad. Orthop. Surg. 26 (2018) 833–843. https://doi.org/10.5435/JAAOS-D-17-00024
[23] D. Bell, D. Hyam, Choosing an appropriate dressing for chronic wounds, Prescriber. 18 (2007) 65–70. https://doi.org/10.1002/psb.89
[24] T.K. Dash, V.B. Konkimalla, Poly-ε-caprolactone based formulations for drug delivery and tissue engineering: A review, J. Control. Release. 158 (2012) 15–33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jconrel.2011.09.064
[25] S. Dhivya, V.V. Padma, E. Santhini, Wound dressings – A review, Biomed. 5 (2015) 24–28. https://doi.org/10.7603/s40681-015-0022-9
[26] B.S. Anisha, R. Biswas, K.P. Chennazhi, R. Jayakumar, Chitosan-hyaluronic acid/nano silver composite sponges for drug resistant bacteria infected diabetic wounds, Int. J. Biol. Macromol. 62 (2013) 310–320. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2013.09.011
[27] M.A. Matica, F.L. Aachmann, A. Tøndervik, H. Sletta, V. Ostafe, Chitosan as a wound dressing starting material: Antimicrobial properties and mode of action, Int. J. Mol. Sci. 20 (2019). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20235889
[28] R. Jayakumar, M. Prabaharan, P.T. Sudheesh Kumar, S. V. Nair, H. Tamura, Biomaterials based on chitin and chitosan in wound dressing applications, Biotechnol. Adv. 29 (2011) 322–337. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biotechadv.2011.01.005
[29] B.A. Lipsky, C. Hoey, M. Cruciani, C. Mengoli, Topical antimicrobial agents for preventing and treating foot infections in people with diabetes, Cochrane Database Syst. Rev. 2014 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD011038
[30] M. Berthet, Y. Gauthier, C. Lacroix, B. Verrier, C. Monge, Nanoparticle-Based Dressing: The Future of Wound Treatment?, Trends Biotechnol. 35 (2017) 770–784. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tibtech.2017.05.005
[31] E.A. Madawi, A.R. Al Jayoush, M. Rawas-Qalaji, H.E. Thu, S. Khan, M. Sohail, A. Mahmood, Z. Hussain, Polymeric Nanoparticles as Tunable Nanocarriers for Targeted Delivery of Drugs to Skin Tissues for Treatment of Topical Skin Diseases, Pharmaceutics. 15 (2023). https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15020657
[32] A.E. Stoica, C. Chircov, A.M. Grumezescu, Nanomaterials for wound dressings: An Up-to-Date overview, Molecules. 25 (2020). https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25112699
[33] W.E.G. Müller, E. Tolba, B. Dorweiler, H.C. Schröder, B. Diehl-Seifert, X. Wang, Electrospun bioactive mats enriched with Ca-polyphosphate/retinol nanospheres as potential wound dressing, Biochem. Biophys. Reports. 3 (2015) 150–160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbrep.2015.08.007
[34] F. Quartinello, C. Tallian, J. Auer, H. Schön, R. Vielnascher, S. Weinberger, K. Wieland, A.M. Weihs, A. Herrero-Rollett, B. Lendl, A.H. Teuschl, A. Pellis, G.M. Guebitz, Smart textiles in wound care: Functionalization of cotton/PET blends with antimicrobial nanocapsules, J. Mater. Chem. B. 7 (2019) 6592–6603. https://doi.org/10.1039/c9tb01474h
[35] S. Parham, A.Z. Kharazi, H.R. Bakhsheshi-Rad, H. Nur, A.F. Ismail, S. Sharif, S. Ramakrishna, F. Berto, Antioxidant, antimicrobial and antiviral properties of herbal materials, Antioxidants. 9 (2020) 1–36. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox9121309
[36] P. Losi, E. Briganti, C. Errico, A. Lisella, E. Sanguinetti, F. Chiellini, G. Soldani, Fibrin-based scaffold incorporating VEGF- and bFGF-loaded nanoparticles stimulates wound healing in diabetic mice, Acta Biomater. 9 (2013) 7814–7821. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actbio.2013.04.019
[37] G. Gainza, M. Pastor, J.J. Aguirre, S. Villullas, J.L. Pedraz, R.M. Hernandez, M. Igartua, A novel strategy for the treatment of chronic wounds based on the topical administration of rhEGF-loaded lipid nanoparticles: In vitro bioactivity and in vivo effectiveness in healing-impaired db/db mice, J. Control. Release. 185 (2014) 51–61. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jconrel.2014.04.032
[38] C. Mendes, A. Thirupathi, M.E.A.B. Corrêa, Y. Gu, P.C.L. Silveira, The Use of Metallic Nanoparticles in Wound Healing: New Perspectives, Int. J. Mol. Sci. 23 (2022). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232315376
[39] Z.B. Nqakala, N.R.S. Sibuyi, A.O. Fadaka, M. Meyer, M.O. Onani, A.M. Madiehe, Advances in nanotechnology towards development of silver nanoparticle-based wound-healing agents, Int. J. Mol. Sci. 22 (2021). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms222011272
[40] J. Salvo, C. Sandoval, Role of copper nanoparticles in wound healing for chronic wounds: Literature review, Burn. Trauma. 10 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1093/burnst/tkab047
[41] F.S. Alves, J.N. Cruz, I.N. de Farias Ramos, D.L. do Nascimento Brandão, R.N. Queiroz, G.V. da Silva, G.V. da Silva, M.F. Dolabela, M.L. da Costa, A.S. Khayat, J. de Arimatéia Rodrigues do Rego, D. do Socorro Barros Brasil, Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activity and Cytotoxicity Effects of Extracts of Piper nigrum L. and Piperine, Separations. 10 (2023). https://doi.org/10.3390/separations10010021
[42] A.M. Holban, V. Grumezescu, A.M. Grumezescu, B.Ş. Vasile, R. Truşcǎ, R. Cristescu, G. Socol, F. Iordache, Antimicrobial nanospheres thin coatings prepared by advanced pulsed laser technique, Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 5 (2014) 872–880. https://doi.org/10.3762/bjnano.5.99
[43] T. Sun, B. Zhan, W. Zhang, D. Qin, G. Xia, H. Zhang, M. Peng, S.A. Li, Y. Zhang, Y. Gao, W.H. Lee, Carboxymethyl chitosan nanoparticles loaded with bioactive peptide OH-CATH30 benefit nonscar wound healing, Int. J. Nanomedicine. 13 (2018) 5771–5786. https://doi.org/10.2147/IJN.S156206
[44] M. Moniri, A.B. Moghaddam, S. Azizi, R.A. Rahim, S.W. Zuhainis, M. Navaderi, R. Mohamad, In vitro molecular study of wound healing using biosynthesized bacteria nanocellulose/ silver nanocomposite assisted by bioinformatics databases, Int. J. Nanomedicine. 13 (2018) 5097–5112. https://doi.org/10.2147/IJN.S164573
[45] A.C. Burdușel, O. Gherasim, A.M. Grumezescu, L. Mogoantă, A. Ficai, E. Andronescu, Biomedical applications of silver nanoparticles: An up-to-date overview, Nanomaterials. 8 (2018) 1–25. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano8090681
[46] V. Vijayakumar, S.K. Samal, S. Mohanty, S.K. Nayak, Recent advancements in biopolymer and metal nanoparticle-based materials in diabetic wound healing management, Int. J. Biol. Macromol. 122 (2019) 137–148. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2018.10.120
[47] M. Tiwari, K. Narayanan, M.B. Thakar, H. V. Jagani, J.V. Rao, Biosynthesis and wound healing activity of copper nanoparticles, IET Nanobiotechnology. 8 (2014) 230–237. https://doi.org/10.1049/iet-nbt.2013.0052
[48] A. Gopal, V. Kant, A. Gopalakrishnan, S.K. Tandan, D. Kumar, Chitosan-based copper nanocomposite accelerates healing in excision wound model in rats, Eur. J. Pharmacol. 731 (2014) 8–19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejphar.2014.02.033
[49] K.S. Siddiqi, A. ur Rahman, Tajuddin, A. Husen, Properties of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles and Their Activity Against Microbes, Nanoscale Res. Lett. 13 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1186/s11671-018-2532-3
[50] I. Kalashnikova, S. Das, S. Seal, Nanomaterials for wound healing: Scope and advancement, Nanomedicine. 10 (2015) 2593–2612. https://doi.org/10.2217/nnm.15.82
[51] J.C. Chen, B.B. Lin, H.W. Hu, C. Lin, W.Y. Jin, F.B. Zhang, Y.A. Zhu, C.J. Lu, X.J. Wei, R.J. Chen, NGF accelerates cutaneous wound healing by promoting the migration of dermal fibroblasts via the PI3K/Akt-Rac1-JNK and ERK pathways, Biomed Res. Int. 2014 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/547187
[52] I.N. de F. Ramos, M.F. da Silva, J.M.S. Lopes, J.N. Cruz, F.S. Alves, J. de A.R. do Rego, M.L. da Costa, P.P. de Assumpção, D. do S. Barros Brasil, A.S. Khayat, Extraction, Characterization, and Evaluation of the Cytotoxic Activity of Piperine in Its Isolated form and in Combination with Chemotherapeutics against Gastric Cancer, Molecules. 28 (2023). https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28145587
[53] S. BarathManiKanth, K. Kalishwaralal, M. Sriram, S.B.R.K. Pandian, H. seop Youn, S.H. Eom, S. Gurunathan, Anti-oxidant effect of gold nanoparticles restrains hyperglycemic conditions in diabetic mice, J. Nanobiotechnology. 8 (2010) 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1186/1477-3155-8-16
[54] A. Choudhary, V. Kant, B.L. Jangir, V.G. Joshi, Quercetin loaded chitosan tripolyphosphate nanoparticles accelerated cutaneous wound healing in Wistar rats, Eur. J. Pharmacol. 880 (2020) 173172. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejphar.2020.173172
[55] D.J. Kamothi, V. Kant, B.L. Jangir, V.G. Joshi, M. Ahuja, V. Kumar, Novel preparation of bilirubin-encapsulated pluronic F-127 nanoparticles as a potential biomaterial for wound healing, Eur. J. Pharmacol. 919 (2022) 174809. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejphar.2022.174809
[56] A. Barroso, H. Mestre, A. Ascenso, S. Simões, C. Reis, Nanomaterials in wound healing: From material sciences to wound healing applications, Nano Sel. 1 (2020) 443–460. https://doi.org/10.1002/nano.202000055
[57] S. Küchler, N.B. Wolf, S. Heilmann, G. Weindl, J. Helfmann, M.M. Yahya, C. Stein, M. Schäfer-Korting, 3D-Wound healing model: Influence of morphine and solid lipid nanoparticles, J. Biotechnol. 148 (2010) 24–30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiotec.2010.01.001
[58] Y.H. Lin, J.H. Lin, T.S. Li, S.H. Wang, C.H. Yao, W.Y. Chung, T.H. Ko, Dressing with epigallocatechin gallate nanoparticles for wound regeneration, Wound Repair Regen. 24 (2016) 287–301. https://doi.org/10.1111/wrr.12372
[59] W. Wang, K.J. Lu, C.H. Yu, Q.L. Huang, Y.Z. Du, Nano-drug delivery systems in wound treatment and skin regeneration, J. Nanobiotechnology. 17 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12951-019-0514-y
[60] M. Hajimiri, S. Shahverdi, M.A. Esfandiari, B. Larijani, F. Atyabi, A. Rajabiani, A.R. Dehpour, M. Amini, R. Dinarvand, Preparation of hydrogel embedded polymer-growth factor conjugated nanoparticles as a diabetic wound dressing, Drug Dev. Ind. Pharm. 42 (2016) 707–719. https://doi.org/10.3109/03639045.2015.1075030
[61] Z. Xie, C.B. Paras, H. Weng, P. Punnakitikashem, L.C. Su, K. Vu, L. Tang, J. Yang, K.T. Nguyen, Dual growth factor releasing multi-functional nanofibers for wound healing, Acta Materialia Inc., 2013. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actbio.2013.07.030
