Novel Drug Delivery Systems for Scarless Wound Healing
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22034/JATE.2026.222Keywords:
drug delivery, scarless, wound healing, microneedles, hydrogels, microspheres, nanofibers, exosomesAbstract
Wound healing is a complex biological process, the result of which is often pathological scarring that can have major functional and cosmetic impact. Effective scarless wound healing remains a big concern despite advances in pharmacological therapy. This study reviews the recent progress of biomaterial-based drug delivery methods for scarless wound healing. Five primary platforms are explored, including hydrogels, microspheres, nanofibers, microneedles, and exosomes. Design methodologies, modes of action, and therapeutic benefits are highlighted. However, fundamental challenges, including industrial scalability, long-term biosafety, regulatory ambiguity, and inconsistencies between animal models and human wound biology, hinder the clinical translation of these promising preclinical findings. The review closes with a potential roadmap to overcome the gap towards scarless wound healing.
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