Supercritical Carbon Dioxide-Processed Acellular Dermal Matrix Patch for Enhanced Wound Healing

Wound healing remains a significant clinical challenge worldwide, and effective management strategies are essential for improving outcomes. This study evaluated SCderm Matrix, a novel acellular dermal matrix (ADM) patch developed using supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO₂) processing of human skin tissue. This innovative processing method preserves structural integrity while enhancing biocompatibility, resulting in a patch characterized by porous architecture, uniform thickness, excellent tensile strength, and optical transparency. In vivo wound healing experiments using full-thickness skin wounds in Sprague-Dawley rats demonstrated the patch's superior performance. Treatment with the sCO₂ ADM patch accelerated wound closure, reduced inflammation, and enhanced granulation tissue formation compared to both untreated controls and two commercially available ADM products. Histological analysis revealed improved re-epithelialization and collagen deposition, while molecular and immunohistochemical assessments showed decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Simultaneously, the treatment upregulated key proliferation and remodeling markers including alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), vimentin, and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1). These findings demonstrate that the SCderm Matrix promotes wound healing through multiple mechanisms: modulating inflammatory responses, enhancing antioxidant defenses, and supporting tissue regeneration. The results suggest this biomaterial has significant potential as an effective and versatile solution for clinical wound care applications.