The Therapeutic Potential of Bioactive Polysaccharides in Tissue Repairing and Wound Healing

Abstract

Ahmed Al Qteishat, Sidgi S Hasson, Ali A. Al-Jabri

The process of wound healing is highly complex, and any changes of the key healing factors or components can produce undesirable outcomes. Current clinical practices such as off-loading, debridement, irrigation, suturing, negative therapy of pressure, grafting and the supplementation of growth factors and so on, have limits in addressing the problems of comprehensive wound care. Due to the dynamic nature of the healing process, the best prevention strategies possible are effective wound management in the early stages and preventing the development of wounds to chronic conditions. The immune system has been shown to play a vital role in the physiological process of wound healing and tissue repair. Many agents that affect the immune system positively, both synthetic and natural, were shown to have implications for wound healing process. In particular, bioactive materials have shown promising consequences in this area, as a result of advances in inter-disciplinary approaches that can potentially be used as a smart wound care. Natural polysaccharides, with their clearly elucidated structures, identified cellular activities and desirable physical properties have the potential to work as therapeutic tools for tissue regeneration and wound healing. In this review article we discuss briefly the essential role of the immune system and emergence of natural wound healing polysaccharide applications. First, we introduce natural polysaccharides and their biological activities from natural sources. Then, we discuss some natural polysaccharides with growth factor-binding affinities and inspired polymer tools, focusing on how wound-healing and tissue reparation can possibly benefit from these promising polysaccharides.