Application of thermo-responsive polymers as smart biomaterials in wound dressing

Stimuli-responsive or smart polymers are macromolecules that can change their physicochemical structure in response to environmental changes such as temperature, pH, UV irradiation, solvent exchange, magnetic field, and ionic factors. Thermo-responsive hydrogels benefit from temperature changes as a trigger for sol-gel transition. They are advantageous for some biomedical applications because they do not require organic solvents, chemical additives, or external fields. Biocompatible and biodegradable polymers that are liquid at room temperature and gel at physiological temperature can be utilized as injectable biomaterials with unique applications in drug delivery, cell encapsulation, and tissue engineering. Therapeutic agents or cells can be incorporated into the sol solution and injected into the target site, forming an in-situ gel with minimal invasiveness and pain. This review summarizes thermoresponsive hydrogels made from natural and synthetic polymers that are used in wound healing. The versatility, simplicity, and convenience of administration, along with the untapped potential of thermo-responsive polymeric materials, make them the most promising interfaces for chemistry and biology in tissue engineering applications.

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