Application prospect of Marine polysaccharide hydrogels in promoting wound healing: A review

Delayed wound healing is prone to cause bacterial infection, persistent inflammation and tissue repair disorders, which seriously reduce the life quality of patients. It is necessary to develop new wound dressings to meet the treatment needs of different wounds. Hydrogels have attracted extensive attention as promising wound dressings due to their hydrophilic three-dimensional network and the characteristics to mimic extracellular matrix. Marine polysaccharides (MP) have favorable biocompatibility, water retention and are easy to exert antibacterial, anti-inflammatory effects through molecular modification, making them excellent matrices for hydrogels. Here, we review the application progress of MP hydrogels in different wounds, including burns and scalds, full-thickness wounds, diabetic wounds, pressure ulcers, tumor postoperative wounds, and other wounds in harsh environments. The future development direction of MP hydrogels in wound healing is prospected, which will provide guidance for the development of novel wound dressings.