Hyaluronic acid and ZIF-8 nanocomposites for wound care

Wound healing remains a critical challenge in clinical settings, particularly for infected, diabetic, or burn-related injuries. Recent advancements in nanotechnology and biomaterials have highlighted the potential of hyaluronic acid (HA) and zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) as synergistic components in innovative wound care solutions. This review consolidates recent studies on HA/ZIF-8 nanocomposites, emphasizing their roles in pH-responsive drug delivery, antibacterial action, and tissue regeneration. HA, a biocompatible polysaccharide, enhances wound hydration and fibroblast activity, while ZIF-8, a metal-organic framework, enables controlled release of therapeutic agents (e.g., zinc ions, curcumin, fucoidan) in response to acidic microenvironments. Microneedle arrays integrated with these nanocomposites further improve transdermal delivery efficiency, enabling targeted treatment of deep tissue infections. Key findings demonstrate that HA/ZIF-8 systems effectively combat multidrug-resistant bacteria, promote angiogenesis via HIF-1α or VEGF pathways, and regulate inflammatory responses. In vivo studies validate accelerated epithelialization, reduced scarring, and enhanced neovascularization in burn, diabetic, and infected wound models. Challenges such as scalability, long-term biocompatibility, and clinical translation are discussed, alongside emerging trends like cold atmospheric plasma integration and macrophage phenotype modulation. This review underscores the transformative potential of HA/ZIF-8 nanocomposites in advancing personalized and multifunctional wound therapies.