Microsphere-mediated approaches for wound healing applications

Wound management remains a challenging clinical problem, with both acute and chronic wounds contributing to significant morbidity and mortality, particularly among the aging population. Efforts to mitigate this burden have focused on understanding the physiology of wound healing and developing new therapeutic approaches and technologies for wound care. Chronic wounds pose a substantial challenge due to their increasing prevalence with age and the complications that can arise from poorly managed acute wounds. Effective wound management is crucial for optimal clinical outcomes, necessitating a comprehensive approach targeting various phases of healing. It has been demonstrated that microspheres can deliver therapeutic agents directly to wound sites to promote wound healing. Growth factors, antibiotics, and other bioactive molecules can be delivered through them to promote tissue regeneration, reduce inflammation, and improve wound healing. This chapter highlights the importance of a microsphere-based approach in promoting wound healing and reducing scarring. In addition, the chapter explores various methods for microsphere preparation, discusses common biomaterials utilized for the microsphere preparation process, discusses applications in wound healing, and provides an analysis of limitations and future directions for microsphere-based therapies.