Stimuli-Responsive Wound Management: A Focus on Innovative pH-Driven Healing Systems

Wound healing, particularly in chronic and infected wounds, presents significant challenges due to persistent inflammation, microbial infections, and impaired tissue regeneration. Stimuli-responsive wound healing technologies offer promising solutions by harnessing materials that adapt to changes in the wound microenvironment, such as pH, temperature, light, and enzymatic activities. Among these, pH-responsive systems have emerged as particularly effective. These systems dynamically respond to fluctuations in wound pH, releasing therapeutic agents precisely when needed, thus improving drug delivery, enhancing antimicrobial effects, and promoting faster tissue repair. pH-sensitive hydrogels, nanoparticles, and bioactive dressings provide localized treatments that combat infections, especially in acidic environments where chronic wounds and biofilms thrive. Furthermore, pH-responsive materials offer real-time monitoring and adaptability, making them highly suitable for managing complex wound types such as diabetic ulcers and chronic infections. This review comprehensively explores the mechanisms, advantages, and challenges of pH-responsive systems in wound care, positioning them as superior to other stimuli-responsive technologies in terms of precision, adaptability, and clinical potential for enhanced healing outcomes.