January 2017 in “DR-NTU (Nanyang Technological University)”
This study observed that keratin sponges showed comparable biocompatibility to a commercial positive control in mice, but keratin gels had slightly inferior biocompatibility.
January 2016 in “Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology”
In this study, a porous keratin hydrogel derived from wool hair demonstrated strong mechanical properties and supported the growth of various animal cells, indicating potential as a scaffold in tissue engineering.
In a study using a mouse model of diabetes, chitosan-based hydrogels increased healing markers and improved wound closure and tissue repair compared to untreated wounds, but human efficacy needs further validation.
This review highlights that synthetic biodegradable polymers like PVA, PCL, PLA, PLGA, PU, and PEO/PEG can address the limitations of natural polymers in wound healing, offering improved mechanical properties and slower degradation, thereby enhancing their application as wound dressings.