Polymeric Hydrogel Systems as Emerging Biomaterial Platforms to Enable Hemostasis and Wound Healing

Abstract

Broad interest in developing new hemostatic technologies arises from unmet needs in mitigating uncontrolled hemorrhage in emergency, surgical, and battlefield settings. Although a variety of hemostats, sealants, and adhesives are available, development of ideal hemostatic compositions that offer a range of remarkable properties including capability to effectively and immediately manage bleeding, excellent mechanical properties, biocompatibility, biodegradability, antibacterial effect, and strong tissue adhesion properties, under wet and dynamic conditions, still remains a challenge. Benefiting from tunable mechanical properties, high porosity, biocompatibility, injectability and ease of handling, polymeric hydrogels with outstanding hemostatic properties have been receiving increasing attention over the past several years. In this review, after shedding light on hemostasis and wound healing processes, the most recent progresses in hydrogel systems engineered from natural and synthetic polymers for hemostatic applications are discussed based on a comprehensive literature review. Most studies described used in vivo models with accessible and compressible wounds to assess the hemostatic performance of hydrogels. The challenges that need to be tackled to accelerate the translation of these novel hemostatic hydrogel systems to clinical practice are emphasized and future directions for research in the field are presented.

An Injectable Hybrid Gelatin Methacryloyl (GelMA)/Phenyl Isothiocyanate-Modified Gelatin (Gel-Phe) Bioadhesive for Oral/Dental Hemostasis Applications

“…Moreover, a gelatin hydrogel offers a hemostatic function because it could swell through the absorption of blood, promote the aggregation of platelets, and then activate the platelets to accelerate the blood clotting [ 24 ]. Despite these apparent hemostatic effects from gelatin, a gelatin hydrogel presents poor mechanical properties and low gelation ability under physiological temperature and wet conditions [ 25 ]. A methacrylation method provides gelatin with a strategy to improve the mechanical properties of gelatin.…”

Characterization of nit sheath protein functions and transglutaminase-mediated cross-linking in the human head louse, Pediculus humanus capitis

“…The nit sheath of the head louse was also extremely resistant to various chemical treatments [ 9 ], providing a rigid and stable structure as a protective covering for eggs. Considering the water-preserving capability, affinity to human hair (keratin) and structural rigidity of the nit sheath, the nit sheath gel composed LNSP1 and LNSP2, if properly regulated by TG-mediated cross-linking, could be exploited as materials for medical and cosmetic uses, including the application as wound coagulant and hydrogel for skin protection [ 18 ]. The coevolutionary history of humans and human head lice during their long host-parasite relationships suggests no or little allergic properties associated with LNSP1 and LNSP2, rendering them more suitable for human use.…”

Bioaerogels: Promising Nanostructured Materials in Fluid Management, Healing and Regeneration of Wounds

“…Others, such as those based on chitosan, are able to promote blood clotting due to its physicochemical/surface properties [123]. On the other hand, matrices such as gelatin, alginate and cellulose-based products, or combinations thereof, can incorporate bioactive agents to induce the blood coagulation pathway, such as, for instance, thrombin or fibrin [124]. The mechanism of action of these systems is based both on the ability to seal the wound and on the capacity to release these molecules, which favor hemostasis.…”