Chitosan-based systems for advanced wound healing

The rising incidences of impaired wound repair impose a substantial financial burden on the healthcare sector, driving a growing interest in wound healing solutions. It has inspired scientists to develop innovative wound dressings with enhanced healing capabilities. Specifically, chitosan-based systems demonstrate a non-toxic nature, biocompatibility, and bioactivity and stand out as excellent candidates for wound healing applications. Chitosan-based systems exhibit outstanding healing potential by accelerating new skin cell development, reducing inflammation, and preventing infections. This article intends to summarize the current advancements and issues involving using chitosan-based systems in developing advanced wound dressings. This review starts with an outline of the wound repair process and progresses to a detailed discussion of the properties of chitosan and chitosan-based systems in this context. The mechanisms by which chitosan-based systems contribute to wound healing are critically analyzed across key stages, including promotion of hemostasis, angiogenesis, collagen deposition, and wound closure acceleration. Additionally, findings from various studies are comprehensively reviewed, furthermore, the market analysis of chitosan-based systems and the use of chitosan as an anti-biofilm agent are critically examined. The literature review identifies existing research gaps and highlights potential directions for future exploration. Current evidence indicates that chitosan-based systems own exceptional wound repair properties, whether used independently or for encapsulating therapeutic agents. These findings underscore the significant opportunities and potential of chitosan-based systems for advancing wound repair applications.