RETRACTED ARTICLE: A review of recent advances in nanotechnology for the delivery of therapeutics in wound healing

Cutaneous wound healing is a complex biological process that enables the body to regenerate tissue, repair damage, combat infection, and restore skin function and equilibrium. Conventional therapies and medications are often the only options for treating chronic or full-thickness wounds. Consequently, alternative strategies are needed to accelerate the stages of wound healing. However, conventional drug delivery systems (DDS) are unable to effectively deliver therapeutic agents to the wound site.

This review explores recent advancements in nanotechnology-driven drug delivery systems and their role in wound healing. These nanotechnological innovations are classified into two main categories: nanocarrier-based DDS and nanotherapeutic-based DDS. The nanocarrier-based DDS is further categorized into polymer-based nanoformulations, such as polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) and inorganic NPs, and lipid-based nanoformulations, which include both lipid NPs and liposomes. In addition, we discuss other advanced therapeutic approaches based on nanomaterials, such as nanomaterial-based growth factors for wound healing, gene nano-therapy, and cell-based therapies. We also present the key limitations and toxicity of NPs in wound healing and clinical trials involving these DDS in the context of wound healing. These nanotechnology-driven strategies facilitate drug delivery to the target area with accurate concentration and release patterns, often acting as bioactive carriers and therapeutics for the treatment of severe wounds.

Nanotechnology has emerged as a promising strategy for overcoming the constraints of conventional drug delivery systems in wound healing. The accurate targeting and regulated release provided by nanocarrier-based DDS and nanotherapeutics-based DDS possess significant potential for enhancing therapeutic outcomes. Diversified approaches utilizing nanomaterials, including polymer-based and lipid-based formulations, as well as novel strategies such as gene nano-therapy and cell-based therapies, offer exciting prospects for future research and clinical applications in wound healing.