title: Natural and synthetic polymers for wounds and burns dressing.
abstract: In the last years, health care professionals faced with an increasing number of patients suffering from wounds and burns difficult to treat and heal. During the wound healing process, the dressing protects the injury and contributes to the recovery of dermal and epidermal tissues. Because their biocompatibility, biodegradability and similarity to macromolecules recognized by the human body, some natural polymers such as polysaccharides (alginates, chitin, chitosan, heparin, chondroitin), proteoglycans and proteins (collagen, gelatin, fibrin, keratin, silk fibroin, eggshell membrane) are extensively used in wounds and burns management. Obtained by electrospinning technique, some synthetic polymers like biomimetic extracellular matrix micro/nanoscale fibers based on polyglycolic acid, polylactic acid, polyacrylic acid, poly-ɛ-caprolactone, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, exhibit in vivo and in vitro wound healing properties and enhance re-epithelialization. They provide an optimal microenvironment for cell proliferation, migration and differentiation, due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, peculiar structure and good mechanical properties. Thus, synthetic polymers are used also in regenerative medicine for cartilage, bone, vascular, nerve and ligament repair and restoration. Biocompatible with fibroblasts and keratinocytes, tissue engineered skin is indicated for regeneration and remodeling of human epidermis and wound healing improving the treatment of severe skin defects or partial-thickness burn injuries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacognosy & Phytotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 2 Petru Rareş Street, 200349 Craiova, Romania.
authors.forename: George Dan
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Mogoşanu
authors.affiliation: Department of Science and Engineering of Oxidic Materials and Nanomaterials, Faculty of Applied Chemistry and Materials Science, Politehnica University of Bucharest, 1-7 Polizu Street, 011061 Bucharest, Romania. Electronic address: grumezescu@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Alexandru Mihai
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Grumezescu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001458:Bandages; D002056:Burns / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D011108:Polymers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012867:Skin / Q000293:injuries; D017768:Skin, Artificial; D014945:Wound Healing
chemical_list: D011108:Polymers
keywords: Burns; Dressing; Extracellular matrix; Polymers; Regenerative medicine; Wounds