Hydrogels Loaded with Bioactive Peptides for Wound Repair

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Drug Delivery

Background:

• Bioactive peptides are potent for wound healing but face challenges like degradation and short action duration in the wound microenvironment.
• Hydrogels offer a solution as functional carriers, preserving peptide activity, controlling release, and providing a supportive 3D environment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in bioactive peptide-loaded hydrogels for enhanced wound repair.
• To explore peptide sources, hydrogel delivery mechanisms, loading strategies, and applications in wound healing.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on bioactive peptides and hydrogel-based delivery systems for wound repair.
• Analysis of hydrogel mechanisms for protecting bioactivity and controlling peptide release.
• Summarization of loading strategies and applications in acute and chronic wound models.

Main Results:

• Hydrogel encapsulation significantly enhances the stability and efficacy of bioactive peptides in wound healing.
• Controlled release from hydrogels overcomes limitations of direct peptide application, improving sustained therapeutic action.
• Peptide-loaded hydrogels demonstrate efficacy in promoting the repair of both acute and chronic wounds.

Conclusions:

• Bioactive peptide-loaded hydrogels represent a promising strategy for advanced wound repair therapies.
• Further research into loading strategies and clinical applications is warranted to optimize their therapeutic potential.
• This review provides a reference for future studies and clinical translation of hydrogel-based peptide therapies for wound healing.